Letters to the editor

Sir;- Outbreaks of ovine abortions caused by Campylobacter fetus fetus (previously C. fetus intestinalis) occur sporadically in mimy areas of New Zealand. The devastating effects on some flocks have stimulated recent studies of the disease,^(1)(3)(7) and have also led to the commercial production of a single strain vaccine (Campylovexin; Wellcome N.Z. Ltd, Auckland). However, it has been shown that single strain C. Fetus vaccines do not protect against serologically distinct strains.⁽²⁾ Since at least two different serotypes of C. fetus fetus are present in New ZealandY) it is not surprising that the commercially available vaccine is only partially effective in some outbreaks.⁽⁷⁾     

Letters to the editor

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In order to utilize spring growth efficiently under a system of grassland farming, a New Zealand dairy farmer endeavours to calve as many cows as possible within a four to six weeks' period. To maintain this calving pattern, herd members must conceive by 70 to 80 days after calving. Consequently normal postparturient uterine involution, together with a minimum of delay in the onset of ovarian activity and oestral cyclicity, is of vital importance. A study of these phenomena may be very rewarding in helping to achieve optimal reproductive efficiency.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—A 7-month-old lamb was presented for slaughter, one of a line of 460. The animal was in good condition and, except for a moderately enlarged abdomen, no abnormalities could be detected on ante-mortem examination.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—I have used morantel tartrate as a drench by stomach tube for horses infested with Oxyuris, strongyles, Parascaris, and Anoplocephala perfoliata. In the first three horses treated, symptoms of oxyuriasis soon disappeared and the strongyle egg counts became negative.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir, — We wish to record for the first time the identification in New Zealand of the nematode parasite Elaphostrongylus cervi Cameron, 1931 (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) in the red deer (Cervus elaphus) Nematodes of the genus Elaphostrongylus have been reported in connective tissue from a number of sites in members of the deer family in the British Isles and Europe.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—An usually high incidence of mastitis has been seen in a town supply herd on a farm at Riverhead, Auckland. From the 60 to 80 cows milked at any one time, annual cullings for mastitis have been: 1964—18; 1965—23; 1966—37; 1967—60.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—At Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, a preliminary trial was conducted to determine the technical feasibility of using a computer to process data and records in diagnostic laboratories. The purpose of utilizing electronic data-processing in a diagnostic laboratory is to provide a means of retrieving information in the future from the vast quantity of material dealt with in these laboratories. One of the uses of such information is in the analysis of laboratory procedures used in dealing with this material. It will also provide a basis for standardization of nomenclature and procedures within the profession, an aim which will be accomplished by using an international programme of data recording and nomenclature particularly adapted for diagnostic laboratories in New Zealand.