A survey of sheep dip usage in Scotland in 1978

A survey of sheep dipping in Scotland in 1978 showed that about 42 tonnes of organophosphorus and 17 tonnes of organochlorine insecticides were used to control ectoparasites. Information is presented about their pattern of use and about the disposal of surplus sheep dip and the empty containers. Six river pollution incidents involving sheep dips in 1978 are recorded. The main geographical areas affected by headfly (Hydrotaea irritans Fall.) and the measures taken against them are noted.     

Determination of bromide ion content of cereals and other foodstuffs by specific ion electrode

A method is presented which determines the bromide ion content of foodstuffs using a bromide specific ion electrode. For low levels of bromide (< 10 mg/kg) or for accurate work, bromide was extracted from the ground commodity with water and then separated from interfering compounds by ion-exchange chromatography before estimation. Alternatively, bromide ion can be estimated approximately by direct measurement on the aqueous extracts after heating to denature proteins. The method was checked against three standard methods of bromide estimation in foods, using wheat that had been repeatedly fumigated with methyl bromide. The equipment required is inexpensive and can be adapted for field use. The method has been used to determine the bromide and chloride contents that occur naturally in wheat, maize, copra, soya beans and sorghum.     

Pesticide usage on bananas with special references to fungicides

Bananas (including plantains) are widely grown throughout the tropics both for local consumption and for export. Pesticide usage is confined largely to the export crop because of its value and the susceptibility to diseases of varieties suitable for the export market. Most of the bananas grown for export are produced in Latin America and the Caribbean. Weed control with herbicides is particularly valuable in young banana plantations before a mature canopy is produced and when weeds compete with the shallow rooting system. Insecticides are used to control high populations of the banana weevil and may be used against fruit thrips. Nematicides are used extensively to control the banana root nematode and granular applications are now replacing soil injections. Fungicidal control of Sigatoka leaf diseases and fruit diseases has been practised for many years and is essential for the production of high quality, exportgrade fruit. Changes in the chemicals used and in application techniques have brought important benefits in recent years and genetic resistance is likely to play a large part in disease control in the future.     

Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect bovine herpesvirus type 2 DNA in skin lesions from cattle suspected to have pseudo-lumpy skin disease

Beef cattle from a herd in north Alabama were examined because of an outbreak of nonfatal skin disease characterized by discrete circumscribed areas of inflammation that developed on the skin from the neck to the hips. Areas of inflammation, which tended to be superficial, underwent necrosis and scabbed over. The scabs eventually dropped off leaving discrete, round, whitish, hairless lesions that were 1.2 to 2.5 cm diameter. Because clinical signs were consistent with those expected with pseudo-lumpy skin disease (PLSD) caused by bovine herpesvirus type 2 (BHV-2), samples from 16 representative animals were submitted for BHV-2 testing. All 16 animals were seropositive for BHV-2, but the virus could not be isolated from skin biopsy specimens or buffy coat samples. Results of a polymerase chain reaction assay incorporating primers designed to amplify 2 DNA sequences from BHV-2 were positive for 3 of the 10 cattle, suggesting that skin lesions in these cattle were a result of PLSD. Our findings suggest that PLSD may be more common and widespread in the United States than suggested by the frequency with which BHV-2 has been isolated from cattle with PLSD-like skin lesions.     

Surgical removal of a mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor in an African pygmy hedgehog

A 3-year-old, female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was referred with a history of hematuria. Hyperglycemia and glucosuria were found at presentation. Mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor were found and removed surgically. Glucosuria and hematuria resolved, and the hedgehog has done well for 10 mo postoperatively.