1937 Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry, Volume 9, 1937

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Contentes Pages: Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, Vol ??, 19??

CONTENTS

*Volume 9: Number 1*

Section I: Protozoal Diseases

Eperythrozoonosis in sheep	Neitz, WO	9

The occurrence of Piroplasma pitheci in a vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops cloetei Roberts) in South Africa	Neitz, WO	31

Section II: Virus Diseases

The transmission of heartwater to and from blesbuck (Damaliscus albifrons) by means of the bont tick (Amblyomma hebraeum)	Neitz, WO	37

Section III: Bacteriology

The effects of different carbon dioxide concentrations on the growth of virulent Anthrax strains. Pathogenicity and immunity tests on guinea-pigs and sheep with anthrax variants derived from virulent strains	Sterne, M	49

Section IV: Parasitology

Some undescribed species of the nematode genus Physaloptera Rud., together with a key to the sufficiently known forms	Ortlepp, RJ	71

A hitherto unrecorded Filaria, Suifilaria suis, N.G. n. sp., from the domestic pig in South Africa	Ortlepp, RJ	85

Whipworms from South African ruminants	Ortlepp, RJ	91

The approximate distribution of the genus Glossina	Curson, HH & Meitz, WO	101

Section V: Poisonous Plants

Experiments with plants alleged to be used as abortifacients and ecbolics by natives	Steyn, DG	107

Recent investigations into the toxicity of known and unknown poisonous plants in the Union of South Africa VII	Steyn, DG	111

Section VI: Mineral Metabolism and Nutrition

Studies in mineral metabolism. XXXVIII. Calcium and phosphorus in the nutrition of growing pigs	Theiler, A, Du Toit, PJ & Malan, AI	127

The digestibility of South African feeds. I. The digestibility coefficients of some natural grasses	Myburgh, SJ	165

Section VII: Toxicology

Notes upon the isolation of the alkaloidal constituent of the drug "Channa" or "Kougoed" (Mesembryanthemum anatomicum and M. tortuosum)	Rimington, C & Roets, GCS	187

Chemical investigation of the plant Acalypha indica. Isolation of triacetonamine, a cyanogenetic glucoside and quebrachite	Rimington, C & Roets, GCS	193

Section VIII: Sex Physiology

Studies in sex physiology no. 19. The influence of age on (a) amount and (b) nature and composition of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the Merino ewe	Malan, AI, Malan, AP & Curson, HH	205

Section IX: Photosensitisation

Studies upon the photosensitisation of animals in South Africa X. The icterogenic factor in geeldikkop. Isolation of active principles from Lippia rehmanni Pears	Rimington, C, Quin, JI & Roets, GCS	225

Section X: Sheep and Wool

Wool studies II. The frequency distribution of Merino wool fibre thickness measurements	Malan, AP	259


*Volume 9: Number 2*

Section I: Protozoal Diseases

A new piroplasm (Sauroplasma thomasi N.G. n. sp.) of a lizard (Zonurus giganteus, Smith)	Du Toit, PJ	289

A new blood parasite of the fowl	Coles, JDWA	301

Section II: Parasitology

South African helminths Part I	Ortlepp, RJ	311

Cysticercosis in swine and bovines, with special reference to South African conditions	Viljoen, NF	337

Section III: Plant Studies and Poisonous Plants

Recent investigations into the toxicity of known and unknown poisonous plants in the Union of South Africa VIII	Steyn, DG	573

The distribution and possible translocation of icterogenin in Lippia rehmanni (Pears)	Roets, GCS	583

Section IV: Toxicology

The toxicity of oil of turpentine for domestic animals	Stey, DG	591

Section V: Mineral Metabolism and Nutrition

Osteofibrosis in equines	Groenewald, JW	601

Section VI: Chemical Pathology

Veterinary biochemical studies I. A rapid method for the determination of copper in biological material	Le Roux Van Niekerk, P	623

Section VII: Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry of the Hottentots	Epstein, H	631

Author index		667

Subject index		669

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 27

The digestibility of South African feeds I : the digestibility coefficients of some natural grasses
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Myburgh, S.J.; Du Toit, P.J.
Coefficients of digestibility and nutritive ratios are given for some South African grasses, as well as for lucerne hay.
Studies in mineral metabolism XXXVIII : calcium and phosphorus in the nutrition of growing pigs
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Theiler, A.; Du Toit, P.J.; Malan, A.I.; Du Toit, P.J.
Bethke and associates (1933) and Dunlop (1935) conclude that growing pigs require approximately 0 - 6 percent P in their rations and that maximum growth is obtained with a Calcium-phosphorus ratio between 1:1 and 2:1. Bethke et al. furthermore state that as the proportion of Ca to P exceeded 3:1 the pigs became more rachitic and their vitamin D requirements increased. Our own experience here has been that while the ratio of Ca to P is undoubtedly important, osteodystrophic diseases may be produced in cattle, and probably in other species, merely by limiting the Ca or P intake or both, even when the ratio of these two constituents to one another was normal, when judged by the usually accepted standards; these observations have been summarized and discussed in the light of the findings of other investigators by Theiler and others (1936). Shohl and Wolbach (1936) report similar results with rats.
Wool studies II : the frequency distribution of Merino wool fibre thickness measurements
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Malan, A.P.; Du Toit, P.J.
The logarithmic nature of distributions in wool fibre thickness measurements has been suggested by the constancy of the coefficient of variability in previous work. The distribution of a variable, the logarithm of which normally distributed, is discussed. The application of what is in the text called the logarithmic function to 18 different samples is given and the "fit" compared with that of the normal distribution. Two further samples, which were also measured by an antilogarithmic scale, are included and show that the logarithms of fibre thicknesses are normally distributed. The logarithmic nature of the distributions of fibre thickness measurements and the normality of the logarithms of such measurements are illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. It is suggested that the logarithms of fibre thickness measurements be used for statistical analysis. This would mean that the arithmetical mean is to be replaced by the geometrical mean to represent average fibre thickness.
Studies upon the photosensitisation of animals in South Africa X : the icterogenic factor in geeldikkop : isolation of active principles from Lippia rehmanni Pears
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Rimington, Claude; Roets, G.C.S.; Quin, J.I.; Du Toit, P.J.
In the seventh contribution to this series of articles dealing with photosensitisation, the naturally occurring disease of sheep, "Tnbalosis" or "Geel-dikkop" was more particularly considered and it was shown (Rimington and Quin 1934) that the condition of photosensitisation arises as a result of the presence of the chlorophyll derivative, phylloerythrin, in the blood of sheep, this pigment having entered the circulation with the bile. The plant Tribulus· presumably contains some toxic substance causing a well-marked icterus, the liver becoming incapable of eliminating bile and it is this hepatic disturbance which must be looked upon as fundamental to the development of the symptoms characteristic of the disease.
Studies in sex physiology no. 19 : the Influence of age on (a) amount and (b) nature and composition of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the Merino ewe
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Malan, A.I.; Curson, H.H.; Malan, A.P.; Du Toit, P.J.
In Study 18 (Malan and Curson, 1936) a few general remarks appeared on the nature of the increase in the amount of allantoic and amniotic fluids in the case of 10 Merino sheep, two having been slaughtered and examined at the end of each month of pregnancy. Whereas it seemed from Table I that the bulk of the increase of the allantoic fluid occurred during the second half of the gestation period, this does not appear to be the case when the data in Table I (below) are considered. In point of fact Table I contains additional details about nine sheep not included in Study 18. The variation is striking. In the case of the amniotic fluid the amounts are not so extremely variable and there is apparently little increase before the end of the first month and after the end of the third month . The fluid therefore shows its increase during the second and third months.
Chemical investigation of the plant Acalypha indica : isolation of triacetonamine, a cyanogenetic glucoside and quebrachite
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Rimington, Claude; Roets, G.C.S.; Du Toit, P.J.
(1) The plant Acaly)pha indica is cyanogenetic containing approximately 210 mgm. HC per 100 gm. dry weight of the dried powdered material. (2) A base is present in extracts of the plant, being derived from some precursor, possibly the glucoside itself. (3) This base has been identified as triacetonamine, the picrate (M.P. 1960 ) and 2:4 dinitrophenylhydrazone of which have been prepared and described. (4) From the plant, Quebrarhite, I-inositol monomethyl ether, has also been isolated. (5) The cyanogenetic glucoside appears to crystallise in two forms, thin hexagonal plates, M.P. 182-4° and fine, silky needles, M.P. 108 °. The molecular formula C14H20 <22>N2 0 10 is suggested. It yields basic material on hydrolysis. (6) From an acid hydrolyate of the glucoside, tested with Brady's reagent, acetic acid 2:4 dinitrophenylhydrazide has been isolated. The possibility of the presence in the molecule of an N-acetyl group is indicated.
Notes upon the isolation of the alkaloidal constituent of the drug "Channa" or "Kougoed" (Mesembryanthemum anatomicum and M. tortuosum)
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Rimington, Claude; Roets, G.C.S.; Du Toit, P.J.
The "Kougoed" of the Bushmen of Namaqualand is a preparation compounded of the dried, over-ground portions of the plants Mesembryanthemum anatomicum and Mesembryanthemum tortuosum. It is chewed and is said to exert a strongly narcotic action in many respects resembling that of cocaine (Watt and Breyer-Brandwyk, 1932. Juritz (1905) observed dilation of the pupil. Zwicky (1914) examined the preparation and extracted a crude alkaloid which he named "Mesembrin". Neither the free base nor any of its derivatives ·were obtained in the crystalline state; however, on the grounds of elementary analyses, Zwicky put forward the formula C16 H19 NQ4 for the alkaloid. Certain colour reactions were described. Since the alkaloids of the Aizoaceae have received very little attention, a reinvestigation of the "Kougoed" seemed highly desirable . Through the kindness of Dr. W. Jordan, in placing at our disposal about l · 5 kilos of a preparation consisting of the dried plants, secured by him recently in Namaqualand, we were enabled to make a preliminary study of the alkaloidal constituents of the drug and to obtain crystalline salts of Mesembrin which establish its correct formula as C17 H23 N0. The present paper is a preliminary note upon the isolation and properties of this substance.
Recent investigations into the toxicity known and unknown poisonous plants the Union of South Africa VII
(Published by the Government Printer, Pretoria, 1937) Steyn, Douw G.; Du Toit, P.J.
Experiments with plants alleged to be used as abortifacients and ecbolics by natives
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Steyn, Douw G.; Du Toit, P.J.
The plants, which are alleged to be used abortifacients and ecbolics by the natives of Uganda, were submitted by the Director of Medical Services, Uganda, for investigation. It is stated that the pregnant women drink infusions prepared from about a handful of the leaves and roots of the plants and that their use is often attended with disastrous results. In the experiments conducted at Onderstepoort the infusions were prepared by extracting 40 gm of ground dry plants with 300 c.c. of tap-water for two hours at 50° C. On each clay of the experiment the infusions were freshly prepared before dosing. As the infusions apparently had no effect on the pregnant rabbits the plant material itself was administered also with negative results.
The approximate distribution of the genus Glossina
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Curson, H.H.; Neitz, W.O.; Du Toit, P.J.
'l'he compilation of the map accompanying this paper arose from a desire to demonstrate at a glance to veterinary students the approximate distribution of the genus Glossina, a knowledge of which is especially useful in discussing problems such as the distribution of cattle. It is granted that even within the area showing the distribution of the genus Glossina there are regions, e.g . in the Gold Coast and Cameroons, where tsetse flies are absent and cattle abound (see "A Contribution to the Study of African Cattle", by Curson, H. H. and Thornton, R.W.). Nevertheless we submit that the general geographical distribution as here shown is at least as satisfactory as that given in the past.
Whipworms from South African ruminants
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Ortlepp, R.J.; Du Toit, P.J.
The occurrence and morphology of Trichuris globulosa are discussed and three new species are described, namely T. barbertonensis from cattle, T. antidorchi from springbok and blesbok and T. parvispiculum from goats.
A hitherto unrecorded Filaria, Suifilaria suis, N.G. n. sp., from the domestic pig in South Africa
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Ortlepp, R.J.; Du Toit, P.J.
About a year ago portions of preserved pig muscle were submitted by the Port Elizabeth abattoir authorities to this Institute in order to determine whether some whitish oval cysts attached to the fasciae of the muscles had any relation to cysticercosis. On dissection it proved that these cysts enclosed a delicate coiled worm, and the writer was fortunate in obtaining one complete female together with about 6 anterior and posterior ends of other female worms; no males were recovered. Examination of this material clearly showed the filariid nature of this parasite, and in addition characteristics were noted which did not agree with the description of any filariid known to the writer. The services of the Government veterinarian at Port Elizabeth were now solicited and Mr. Clemow, B.V.Sc., kindly undertook to obtain further material; in consequence some en tire males and females were obtained and sent to this Institute together with a portion of unpreserved pig flank and a portion of flank was sent in glycerine; these showed several cysts under the body cavity lining. From these cysts the writer was able to dissect out several entire males and females. The writer wishes to express his sincere gratitude to Mr. Clemow for his kindly services.
Some undescribed species of the nematode genus Physaloptera Rud., together with a key to the sufficiently known forms
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Ortlepp, R.J.
'l'he species discussed in the ensuing pages, except P. dispar von Linst., 1904, comprise some of the material which has from time to time been sent to this institute for determination. As this genus comprises a considerable number of species, and as the writer has found the accompanying key to be of considerable help in his determinations, he has thought it advisable to place this key at the disposal of other workers, and at the same time give a description of those new forms which he has been able to study.
The effects of different carbon dioxide concentrations on the growth of virulent anthrax strains : pathogenicity and immunity tests on guinea pigs and sheep with anthrax variants derived from virulent strains
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Sterne, Max; Du Toit, P.J.
(1) Virulent anthrax strains grew mucoid and produced avirulent rough dissociants on serum agar, in a number of different carbon dioxide concentrations. (2) A relatively small close of avirulent spores immunized sheep against anthrax. (3) The immunizing power of the avirulent rough strains was not associated with the carbon dioxide concentration in which they developed.
The transmission of heartwater to and from blesbuck (Damaliscus albifrons) of the bont tick (Amblyomma hebraeum)
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Neitz, W.O.; Du Toit, P.J.
(1) The transmission of heart water to two blesbuck is discussed. (2) Infected A. hebraeum nymphae are capable of transmitting heart water to the blesbuck. (3) Heartwater could be demonstrated by blood sub inoculation into susceptible sheep for a period of 35 clays in one blesbuck and for 9 days in another. (4) The virulence of heart water virus did not change by passage. (5) Infective nymphae do not loose their infection but retain it to the adult stage. (6) Clean larvae will pick up infection for transmission as nymphae. (7) Clean nymphae will pick up infection for transmission as adults. (8) The technique of tick breeding and feeding is briefly discussed. (9) Both blesbuck died, one 13 and the other 7 weeks after tick infestation. (10) The significance of these experiments is discussed.
The occurrence of Piroplasma pitheci in a vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops cloetei Roberts) in South Africa
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Neitz, W.O.; Du Toit, P.J.
The occurrence of P. pitheci was recorded by Ross (1905) in several monkeys belonging to the genus Cercopithecus. The affected animals did not show any clinical symptoms apart from febrile reactions. Three years later the same preparations were re-examined by Nuttall and Graham-Smith, who stated that these parasites were of the P. bigeminum and P. canis type. Castellani and Chalmers (1908) described piroplasms in a monkey Mlacacus pileatus under the name P. cellii. A detailed account on the pathogenicity of P. pitheci in splenectomized and non-splenectomized monkeys belonging to the genus Cercopithecus and:Macacus is given by Kikuth (1927). His experiments showed that non-splenectomized monkeys did not suffer from the iufec:tion, whereas in splenectomized animals numerous parasites appeared which produced severe anaemia, loss in condition and in one case death. Furthermore, he was able to show that trypan blue caused the parasites to disappear from the peripheral blood. Schwetz (1933) described piroplasms resembling those described by Ross in two monkeys, one belonging to the genus Cercopithecus and the other to a species of Cercocoebus. Through the kindness of Dr. A. D. Thomas of this Institute the ·writer obtained blood and spleen smears from an apparently healthy vervet-monkey which was shot on the farm Rossbach in the district Zoutpansberg in the Transvaal.
Eperythrozoonosis in sheep
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Neitz, W.O.; Du Toit, P.J.
Veterinary biochemical studies I. A rapid method for the determination of copper in biological material
(Published by the Government Printer, Pretoria, 1937) Le Roux van Niekerk, P.; Du Toit, P.J.
Of the micro-methods which have been proposed for the determination of copper, the method of Biazzo (1926) as modified by Elvehjem and Lindow (1929) has been found to be the most practicable. Until recently McFarlane, (1932), the accuracy of this method has never been questioned. At this laboratory the method was found to give fairly satisfactory results when applied to biological material. In the cases of spleen and blood where the presence of excess iron, due to the large aliquots necessary, interfered with the colour development, the copper had to be separated from the iron at a carefully adjusted pH. The discovery by Callan and Henderson (1929) that when an aqueous solution of sodium-diethyldithiocarbamate is added to a solution containing copper, a golden brown colour is developed with the formation of a normal copper salt of diethyldithiocarbamic acid. This colour reaction forms the basis for the method discussed here am1 has lately found much favour in the colorimetric determination of copper. MacFarlane (1932) extracted the colour quantitatively with amyl alcohol, thereby intensifying• the colour and increasing the sensitivity of the method. It was found necessary, on account of the great number of analyses to be done here, that a rapid and accurate method was estiential, and for this purpose the methods of MacFarlane (1932) and Tompsett (1934) were modified and applied as described here. A large numbe1: of copper determinations was Jolle by this method in conjunction with certain copper experiments at present in progress at Onderstepoort. These determinations were done on both normal and pathological post-mortem material as well as on several hundred grass and shrub samples. These results will be incorporated ill later publications from this Institute, in a study on the role of copper in certain stock diseases.
Osteofibrosis in equines
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Groenewald, J.W.; Du Toit, P.J.
Cases of osteofibrosis are not infrequently reported from race-horse stables where the animals are fed on cereal concentrates, and where the hay ration is kept relatively low. Unless legume hay is fed, or a collection is made in the diet by the supplementation of calcium, rations consisting for the most part of cereals may prove to have a high phosphorus and a low calcium content. The occurrence of osteofibrosis has been reported from various countries, but has assumed a magnitude of considerable economic importance in India and the Philippine Islands, where the native feeds supplied to animals are relatively low in calcium. Although the disease is well known, the nomenclature used by different writers in describing it, differs considerably. The result is that a certain degree of confusion exists in regard to the various terms applied to this and related osteodystrophic disorders. An attempt was, therefore, made to produce cases of osteofibrosis in horses. The material collected would then form a useful basis of bone pathological omparisons in osteodystrophic diseases. (1) Clinical symptoms of osteofibrosis were brought about, and later definitely shown to be the disease by histo-pathological examination, in three 2-year-old fillies receiving a ration which contained 4 - 5 grams CaO and 54 - 29 grams P2 O3 in the case of two horses, and 28 - 42 grams P2 O5 in the case of the other horse. (2) The two control fillies received in their ration 52-· 3 grams CaO and 28- 42 grams P2 O5. The CaO intake had necessarily to be high in order to rectify the otherwise abnormal CaO: P2 O5 ratio. (3) The control animals gained in weight, whereas the horses receiving a deficiency of CaO in their diet lost weight, became emaciated and poor in condition. (4) Balance trials showed that the skeletons in the case of those horses receiving 4 · 5 gms. CaO, were continually being depleted of calcium. (5) The phosphorus retention was greatest for the horses receiving most phosphorus in their ration. (6) From the data available it would appear that blood Ca determinations are of little value for diagnostic purposes in cases of suspected osteofibrosis. (7) Facial enlargements, when once established by the disease, were not reduced in size by feeding a ration which was supplemented with CaCO3
The toxicity of oil of turpentine for domestic animals
(Pretoria : Government Printer, 1937) Steyn, Douw G.
1. The following mixture appears to constitute no danger to fullgrown horses not suffering from congestion of the kidneys, nephritis or gastro-enteritis : "120 c.c. (=4 oz.) of oil of turpentine, 4 c.c. ( = 1 drachm) of extract of male fern, 600 c.c. (=1 pint) of raw linseed oil". As stated before young animals and animals in poor condition should receive half of this mixture, or less, and only pure unadulterated and unoxidised oil of turpentine should be used. 2. Experiments conducted at Onderstepoort with oil of turpentine and extract of male fern are described. 3. The toxic doses, symptoms of poisoning, post-mortem appearances, and treatment of cases of oil of turpentine poisoning are discussed.

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