References

Bakker, S. K. and Davies, P. V . A. (1972)--/1 S. Afr.

Cerne, F. (19731-Ver. med. Rev. No. 3, p. 239. Corteel, J . M., Signoret, J . P. and du Mensil du

Buisson, F. (1964)-Proc. V Inr. Cong. Anim. Reprod. Trento 3: 536.

Legault, C., Dagon, J. and Tastu, D. (1975)--/ournees Rec. Porcine en France. Instit. Tech. du Porc., Paris, p. 43.

Longenecker, D. A. and Day, B. N. (1968)--1. Anim. Sci. 27: 709.

ver. med. Ass. 43: 132.

Maclean, C. W. (1969)-Ver. Rec. 91: 675. Mahoney, G. W. A., Omtvedt, I. T., Edwards, R. L.,

Stephens, D. F. and Turman, E. J . (1969)--Trans A m . Soc. agric. Engrs 13: 832.

Schilling, E. and Cerne, F. (1972I-Ver. Rec. 91: 471. Steinbach, J . (1972)-Proc. VII Int. Cong. Anim.

Reprod., Munich, p. 2077. Teague, H . S . , Roller, W. L. and Grifo, A. P. (1968)

-J. Anim. sci. 29: 408. Werner, J . (1973)-Ver. med. Rev. No. 2, p. 178.

(Received forpublication 27March 1977)

BOOK REVIEW THE BLOODWORM

Among the very good things which come from the White House in St. Peter’s St. St. Albans is Miscel- laneous Publication No. 4. This is a monograph* which describes the biology and veterinary importance of Srrongylus vulgaris - the cause of colic, ill-thrift, roor performance and death of horses. Is it a mis- guided parasite that it should damage its host so severely, or are its pathological pranks just another manifestation of adaptation become aberrant because our husbandry favours parasite rather than host. The monograph may not answer this question to your satisfaction but it has a wealth of information on this, the greatest parasite enemy of the horse.

The authors are well known parasitologists - Colin Ogbourne has published a number of papers concerned with the epidemiology and biology of the equine strongylidoses, Jim Duncan is one of the world-renowned team of parasitologists to be found in the Wellcome Laboratories for Experimental Parasitology at the University of Glasgow. Colin Ogbourne was in Australia, at the conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology where he presented an outline of the work of the Common- wealth Institute of Helminthology, and presided over an exhibit which demonstrated the tremendous role of the Institute (as one of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux) in keeping helminthologists up to date with what goes on in their wormy world!

The monograph deals with all aspects of S. vulguris: prevalence, incidence, bionomics of the free-living stages, the parasitic development, pathogenesis, epi- demiology, diagnosis and control - all f u l l y documented, and well illustrated.

The clinician will be especially interested in the sections dealing with diagnosis and treatment; both are well represented. The equine practitioner concerned with overall control of strongylidoses including infec- tions with S. virl,wri.s is equally well catered for because the essential background of epidemiology is described as well as the husbandry practices designed to minimise

* S/ronsyles i.iilgdrr.i i n the horse: its biology and veterinary importance. C. P. Ogbourne and J . L. Duncan. C I H Miscel - laneous Publication No. 4. Commonwealth Institute o f Helminthology. Pp. 40. 1977. This is a very recent publication and supplies in Australia

are likely to he limited for the time being. I t may be ordered direct from Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Central Sales Branch, Farnham Royal , Slough. SL2 3BN England. I n Aus- tralia C.A.B. publications may be obtained from C.A.B. Sales Office, C.S.I.K.O., 314 Albert St.. East Melbourne, 3602.

Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 54, January, 1978

infection though minimising contamination ot pastures. Curiously there is no reference to the use of a DDP or LDP (daily dose, low dose phenothiazine) system which has been used with success in U.S.A. for a great many years and which is beginning to be applied in Australia thanks to a palatable form for administra- tion (“Wormolas” blocks containing 2.5% phenothia- zine).

The use of anthelmintics against the migrating stages of S. vulgaris is noted, and while it is clear that large doses of thiabendazole are effective against the early migrating stages, the later stages appear not to be SO vulnerable.

The gradual accumulation of epidemiological in- formation in regions of the Northern Hemisphere with temperate climates directs attention to the need to concentrate control measures during the spring-summer period, and regrettably reflects on the lack of similar information for Australian conditions. Our only con- tribution is from Mr. A. W. English, B.V.Sc., whose studies in south-eastern Queenstand showed that develop- ment of infective larvae (of “strongyles”) occurred in months of the year, with peak activity in October to December, and again in May to August. Migration of larvae from the faecal reservoir (the dung heaps) into the herbage occurred periodically following falls of rain from as little as 30 mm. In the region concerned, rainfall was more important than temperature as a factor regulating the availability of larvae. The peak of availability from October to December provided massive infections for spring-born foals. HOW badly we need similar studies in other regions in Australia!

The publication under review reflects a tremendous service to helminthology. To those who depend upon this science as the basis for their knowledge and under- standing of the pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis and control of parasitic diseases it is an essential addition to their reference library. Every teacher of parasitology will not only need it, but will be eternally grateful for it; every equine practitioner must have it ; most stud- masters will find that it will add to their appreciation of the whys and wherefores of their managerial skills; undergraduates will find that the simplicity of presenta- tion and the illustrations will relieve them of much delving into notes and text books. Congratulations and most grateful thanks to the Commonwealth Institute of Helminthology and to Colin Ogbourne and Jim Duncan.

H. McL. Gordon

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