Socio-economic Dimensions of Equine-rearing in Himachal Pradesh

Since equines play an important role in the economy of Himachal Pradesh, this study has examined the growth trends in equine population and socio-economic characteristics of equine-rearers. The problems being faced have been identified and some policy recommendations have been made. It has been found that equine population had a compound growth rate of 2.57 per cent per annum during the period 1966-2003 and constituted about 1 per cent of the total livestock population in 2003. Amongst different constituents of equines, viz. horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, mules have shown the maximum rise in number. The contribution of equines has been assessed to be 40 per cent in the gross household income of rearers. A mule pair has been found to be highly profitable for load-carrying activities. Road links to the villages having modern means of transport have been perceived to be the greatest threat to equine-rearing activity, followed by its disliking by younger generations and nonavailability of locally-bred mules. The study has emphasized on increased supply of Chamurthi horses through identification of additional local breeders by adopting systematic breeding policy, particularly in the Pin Valley of Spiti area. Keeping in view the demand for mules, their breeding should be undertaken at both public and at private levels so that local-bred mules become available at affordable prices.Livestock Production/Industries,

A Case of Multiple Sclerosis Presenting as Eight and Half Syndrome.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination, gliosis (scarring), and neuronal loss; the course can be relapsing-remitting or progressive. Manifestations of MS vary from a benign illness to a rapidly evolving and incapacitating disease requiring profound lifestyle adjustments. We report a 24 year old female who presented with right internuclear ophthalmoplegia with right lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy which is called eight and half syndrome. The etiology in our patient was multiple sclerosis which was confirmed by radio-imaging studies. Patient improved on pulse therapy of methyl prednisolone and tapering dose of steroids

Micro-Level Decision for Area Shift in Favour of High-Value Crops: A Case of Horticultural Crops

Area shift towards horticultural crops is vital for increasing farm income, productivity and overall employment in the agricultural sector. Several economic (price and income) and non-economic (food-security concerns) factors influence farmers’ decisions at the farm level. This paper has examined the role of both price and income, along with the role of food-security goals, in the decision-making of farmers regarding shift from low-value crops (food crops) to high-value commercial crops (horticultural crops). It has been shown that higher food requirements at home inhibit the extent of crop-substitution decision of the farmers. However, farmers are less responsive to the changes in the prices of food grains (in terms of changing their consumption) as higher income from high-value crops provide adequate money to purchase food crops from the market. Relative income (not the relative price) of the crops has been found to explain the crop-substitution decisions of the farmers. The farmers have been reported to calculate the aggregate gain from the crop rather calculating only the price of the crop, while making the decision to shift. Their capacity to generate higher productivity along with better market prospects have been recorded to explain farmers’ decision to shift area.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Rare Coinfection of Scrub Typhus and Malaria in Immunocompetent Person

Scrub Typhus, or tsutsugamushi disease is a febrile illness caused by bacteria of the family Rickettsiaceae and named Orientia tsutsugamushi. Recently it has been found to endemic in Subhimalayan region of India.Malaria is highly endemic in rest of India but its prevalence is low in Subhimalayan region because of the altitude. We report a rare case of a patient having coinfection with scrub typhus and malaria

Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum in a Sputum Positive Tuberculosis Patient: The Continuous Diaphragm Sign

Secondary pneumothorax is a very common medical emergency. At times it is associated with pneumomediastinum, which could be fatal at times if not identified. We present a case of a 11 years old sputum positive child who presented with both these conditions and was diagnosed on chest x ray

Primary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Fallopian Tube

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is a rare entity that accounts for 0.2-0.5% of all gynecologic malignancies, and most are discovered during or after surgery. Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube is an extremely rare tumor that is reported only occasionally in the worldwide literature. As primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the fallopian tube is so rare, the clinicopathologic characteristics are as yet unknown. The authors recently experienced a case of primary transitional cell carcinoma arising in the left fallopian tube and thus report the clinical features, management, and also a review of the past pertinent literature. A 52 years old woman presenting with lower abdominal pain was found to have a left adnexal mass. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a mass arising from the left fallopian tube with the histologic features of transitional cell carcinoma

Self injection of Dichlorvos, an Organophosphorus Compound

We report two patients who injected themselves a strong organophosphate compound, dichlorvas, and showed the typical clinical picture of organophosphate intoxication. There are very few case reports of parenteral organophosphorous poisoning. With the appropriate therapy, their symptoms disappeared in a few days. The cases are reported because of unusual and interesting way of intoxication

Atypical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis from non-endemic region

A case of atypical and acute presentation of visceral leishmaniasis from non-endemic region, characterised by exudative pleural effusion and hepatitis is reporte