The current use of anthelmintic plants in tropical veterinary medicine is reviewed and attention is drawn to the lack of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of many now in use. The case for anthelmintic plants as a means of overcoming some of the serious limitations of manufactured anthelmintics is outlined. Reasons why anthelmintic plants are not generally used in veterinary medicine, in contrast to their greater acceptance in human medicine, are considered. Strategies for their development and use are discussed, in particular the need for in vivo trials to identify those plants which are effective and suitable for general use: attention is drawn to possible candidates, including pyrethrum and papaya latex. Those helminths of most economic importance should be targeted first. Anthelmintic plants offer a traditional alternative to manufactured anthelmintics that is both sustainable and environmentally acceptable. Such plants could have a more important role in the future control of helminth infections in the tropics.
A survey was carried out in northern Kenya to obtain data on the role and management of donkeys in Samburu and Turkana pastoralist societies and to identify potential areas, if any, for interventions. Sixty-seven women owning or closely associated with 583 donkeys were surveyed during July/August 1994. The median donkey herd sizes in Samburu and Turkana societies were 4 and 10 respectively. Pack transport of water and domestic materials were the major reasons for keeping donkeys. Donkey milk, meat and blood were consumed widely by the Turkana but not by the Samburu. The major problems in donkey management were donkeys getting lost, being stolen, predation and being affected by diseases, in particular a disease condition involving unthriftiness, emaciation and slow growth. Traditional methods of treating donkey diseases were generally used. It was concluded that donkeys were an important component in the pastoralist societies surveyed although donkey numbers and transport capacity were not limiting factors in pastoralists activities. Potential areas for intervention were identified as disease investigation and stimulation of community based initiatives to tackle general management problems.
Attention is drawn to the limitations of conventional methods of controlling important trematode infections such as schistosomosis and fasciolosis. Plant molluscicides could have a role in the future control of these infections. There are, however, major problems with most plant molluscicides in that their use is labour-intensive, in many cases relatively skilled workers are required, they must be applied regularly and arable land may be required for their cultivation. Thus, little progress is to be expected until plant species with sustainable self-delivery systems are identified. Eucalyptus is proposed as a likely candidate. The leaves of many species in this genus have molluscicidal properties and their intermittent fall could effect self-delivery if the trees were planted in appropriate places. Relatively little work has been carried out on this possibility and much more is necessary, especially field trials. Before field trials are started, more laboratory testing is also necessary to determine the LC50 values for different snail species and to study toxicity to non-target organisms.
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