ERADICATION OF HYDATIDS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22673, 30 March 1939, Page 9

ERADICATION OF HYDATIDS

“THE BIG YEAR IN OUR PROGRAMME’’ ADDRESS BY DR. E. W. BENNETT "It is our endeavour to make 1939 the big year in our programme for the eradication of hydatids,” said Dr. E. W. Bennett, of the Department of Hydatid Research and Prevention, Dunedin, speaking last night to members of the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand. “As to the results of the campaign so far, I hope I am not unduly optimistic in saying that the disease can and must be eradicated and that at present it is in the actual process of being eradicated.” All the necessary data for the cam- , r.ign had been obtained, and all that remained was to assist the public to Cut into effect the lessons that had een taught by research. It was better to assist the public rather than to try to achieve results by legislation, because it was doubtful if any compulsory means would produce the required results. His own view was that the public could absorb the lessons of only two or three such campaigns at once. At present there were in New Zealand campaigns for road safety, physical fitness, and hydatid eradication. Later when the campaign for hydatid eradication was in full swing, it might be possible to allow it to sink into the background and bring some other message to the community. After explaining the stages in the development of the disease. Dr. Bennett said it was commonly believed in the country that rabbits were severely infected with hydatids. Rabbits had been proved to be susceptible to the disease by artificial means, but they were very refractory to infection by natural means. What was commonly referred to as hydatids in rabbits was a different disease that did not affect human beings. Rats, mice, and other rodents also were very refractory to infection. The worm stage of hydatids could exist in dogs, but they did not have the disease, which was infection in cysts. In short, the dog was the incubator of the parasites. There was no evidence that hydatid disease came from water. One could imagine that raw vegetables could be infected, but they had not been proved a source of the disease. Once the hands became infected the real risk of infection of the human was created. The, great source of infection for human beings would appear to be by contamination of the hands from touching dogs with contaminated fur, the infection being then carried to the mouth.

If a dog was infected there were no adequate means of protection. It was essential to eradicate the disease in dogs and keep them free from it. That could be done by preventing dogs from feeding on raw livers and lungs of sheep and cattle, and by dosing them with arecoline.

SAVING TO SHEEP FARMERS

REDUCTION IN PERCENTAGE

OP CONDEMNATipNS

That the experiences of farmers indicate the extent of the benefit to be derived from the use of arecoline, the drug being used in the hydatid eradication campaign; is claimed by Dr. E. W. Bennett, of the Department of Hydatid. Research, Medical School, Dunedin. In an interview yesterday Dr. Bennett said that the use of arecoline was bringing about a big reduction in the number of animal livers condemned at freezing works. “There is general agreement among* farmers who have given arecoline a fair trial, that it is a first-rate means of improving the appearance and general health of dogs, and of getting more willing and active work out of them,” Dr. Bennett said. “The major benefits refer, of course, to human beings and farm stock; but the earliest effects that may be expected in these directions will be seen in next year’s lambs, “These effects are well foreshadowed by the experiences of farmers who have previously used arecoline. In one of the big freezing works in Hawke’s Bay I saw truckloads of condemned livers, and of about 750,000 carcases a year the returns of the meat inspectors showed an average rejection of 70 per cent, of livers. One of the directors estimated the annual loss on livers in ; this one works at £SOOO. A farmer in the same district has been using are-li

coline for his dogs since the spring of 1937, and this season sent forward a line of 700 lambs to the works. Only four livers were condemned.” Dr. Bennett added; “I wish to dissociate myself very emphatically from any suggestion that the farmer is inclined to remain irresponsive to appeals or to offers of assistance. I have formed a strong impression that the great majority aje the precise reverse, providing of course that the necessary information and advice are offered in reasonable terms. I would like the farming community to take it as a compliment, and a sincere one, that I bel.’eve that hydatid disease will be eradicated, and that in fact it is now in process of being eradicated. “One indubitable case of death through use of arecoline came under notice in the North Island. A sheep was very sick, and the owner decided the trouble was hydatids. The sheep got two tablets of arecoline, and the owner quickly got a fine mutton ctVcase.” Hi 1