A study of an enzootic focus of sheep babesiosis (Babesia ovis, Babes, 1892).

Morbidity and mortality due to Babesia ovis in sheep flocks grazing in an enzootic area of Israel occur yearly, about 2 weeks after detection of adult Rhipicephalus bursa ticks on the animals. Disease incidence peaks in May, but lasts throughout the active period of the adult ticks in the spring-summer months of April-July. No clinical cases of babesiosis have been registered during the active period of the preimaginal stages of R. bursa, from October to February. Incidence of parasitaemia during the spring-summer months was variable, ranging between 2 and 25%. However, in the winter months the incidence of parasitaemia in hoggets increased considerably, reaching 4-60% of the animals. A positive serological response to B. ovis was found in 84.5% of the hoggets and 88.9% of the ewes. In ewes, the prevalence of the serological response showed no marked seasonal variations. Colostral sera of 67.5% and 75% of the ewes and hoggets, respectively, were serologically positive for B. ovis. No antibodies were detected in the sera of lambs less than 3-4 months of age. The epizootiology of sheep babesiosis appears to differ from that of bovine babesiosis.

Traditional veterinary medicine in the Near East: Jews, Arab Bedouins and Fellahs.

The authors review traditional veterinary medicine in the Near East region. The ancient Jewish sources--principally the Bible, the Talmud and other, more recent manuscripts--contain ample discussions of veterinary medicine and various aspects of the relations between humans and animals. These include zoonotic diseases, hygiene, intoxications, and various preventive and curative measures, as well as legislation and guidelines for the proper treatment of livestock. Arab shepherds, and particularly the Bedouins, have a long tradition of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of various ailments, predominantly using plant mixtures and fire branding.