Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad

BACKGROUND: Ethnomedicines are used by hunters for themselves and their hunting dogs in Trinidad. Plants are used for snakebites, scorpion stings, for injuries and mange of dogs and to facilitate hunting success. RESULTS: Plants used include Piper hispidum, Pithecelobium unguis-cati, Bauhinia excisa, Bauhinia cumanensis, Cecropia peltata, Aframomum melegueta, Aristolochia rugosa, Aristolochia trilobata, Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Vernonia scorpioides, Petiveria alliacea, Renealmia alpinia, Justicia secunda, Phyllanthus urinaria,Phyllanthus niruri,Momordica charantia, Xiphidium caeruleum, Ottonia ovata, Lepianthes peltata, Capsicum frutescens, Costus scaber, Dendropanax arboreus, Siparuma guianensis, Syngonium podophyllum, Monstera dubia, Solanum species, Eclipta prostrata, Spiranthes acaulis, Croton gossypifolius, Barleria lupulina, Cola nitida, Acrocomia ierensis (tentative ID). CONCLUSION: Plant use is based on odour, and plant morphological characteristics and is embedded in a complex cultural context based on indigenous Amerindian beliefs. It is suggested that the medicinal plants exerted a physiological action on the hunter or his dog. Some of the plants mentioned contain chemicals that may explain the ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinary use. For instance some of the plants influence the immune system or are effective against internal and external parasites. Plant baths may contribute to the health and well being of the hunting dogs

Religion’s relationship with social boundaries surrounding gender

This paper examines the religious persuasion on the social boundaries surrounding gender. Gender has been a contentious issue that is associated with segregation, marginalization and differentiation between men and women. In the light of this, scholars' views on the subject matter were considered. Thus, this indicates that in spite of the fact that some women by virtue of their ability are qualified for a particular position, would be denied by reason of gender dichotomy. Also the impetus given to the social boundaries by religion as alleged by the scripture (Bible) aggravates the situation. It is therefore the submission of the paper that the persistence of religion's consolidation on the social boundaries surrounding gender is as a result of the inability to separate culture from religion. The recommendation therefore is that although roles differentiation are necessary in the society it should not be mistaken for gender inequality.Key Words: Religion, Social Boundaries, Gender, Christianity, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Inequalit

Symptoms and lung fuction values in Nigerian men and women exposed to dust generated from crushing of granite rocks in Calabar, Nigeria.

This study was carried out to determine lung function and respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms among men and women exposed to dust emitted from crushing of granite rocks and to compare them with control men and women not exposed to any known air pollutant. The sites were the granite rock crushing industries in old Netim, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Respirable dust level was higher in the dust-emitting sites (1.087±0.243mg/m3) than in the control areas (0.099±0.007 mg/m3; p <0.001). The mean anthropometric parameters (age, body weight and height) between the two groups were not significantly different. However, all the values of lung function indices except FEV1% were significantly lower in the dust-exposed group than their control group. (p < 0.001 for FEV1, FVC and PEFR) thus, suggesting restrictive lung defect among the exposed workers. Lung function indices correlated negatively with duration of service of the granite industry workers. The incidence of the major respiratory symptoms viz: unproductive cough, chest pain, catarrh and dyspnoea among the test group were higher (p<0.05-0.001) than in control group. Among the presenting non-respiratory symptoms, headache and night sweat were more common in the dust-exposed group than the control subjects (p<0.001). Chronic exposure to dust generated from crushing of granite rocks impairs lung function and causes some respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms in men and women. Length of service was a predisposing risk factor

Hearing acutty loss of operators of food grinding machines in Calabar, Nigeria

Noise has been generally found to cause hearing impairment. This was therefore a comparative study to determine whether chronic exposure to noise generated from food grinding machine can impair hearing acuity. Forty food grinding machine operators in Watt and Marian markets, Calabar, who were exposed to noise for at least 6 months formed the test subjects. Control subjects, however, were age- and sex-matched staff and students of the University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, who were exposed to low noise level. Results obtained showed that noise level in test sites (105.8 ± 9.24dB) was significantly higher than that in the control sites (55.5 ± 1.78dB; P< 0.001). At every frequency tested, the machine operators had poorer hearing acuity than control subjects. The hearing threshold of the machine operators positively correlated with their duration of exposure at 2000Hz and 4000Hz, (r = 0.357, P< 0.001; r = 0.444, P< 0.001 respectively) and age at 2000Hz, 4000Hz and 8000Hz (r = 0.266, P<0.05; r = 0.308, P<0.01, r = 0.292, P<0.01 respectively). The prevalence of hearing loss among the machine operators was significantly higher (62.5%), compared to control (15.79%; P<0.01). The incidence of symptoms such as tinnitus, insomnia and headache was also significantly higher in the test group (26.32%, 21.05% and 34.2%) than in the control (5.26%, 2.63% and 5.26% respectively; P < 0.01). Therefore,chronic exposure to food grinding machine noise at 105.8 ± 9.24dB can impair hearing acuity and associated risk factor appears to be prolonged exposure

Lung function status of some Nigerian men and women chronically exposed to fish drying using burning firewood

No Abstract. Central African Journal of Medicine Vol. 45 (5) 1999: pp. 119-12

The Relative Incidence Of Diabetes Mellitus In Abo/Rhesus Blood Groups In South-Eastern Nigeria

A total of 224 diabetics and 221 non-diabetics (control) were involved in this study, to determine the relative incidence of diabetes mellitus in ABO/Rhesus blood group. The current criteria for the diagnosis f diabetes mellitus were applied in differentiating the diabetics from the non-diabetics. Blood group, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and random blood sugar (RBG) were determined using standard methods. Type I, Type II and gestational diabetes mellitus were identified in this study. Biodata information were obtained during history taking and from subject hospital case note. The mean age of diabetics was 50.9 + 11.4 (SD) with age range of 24-72 years. Mean age for control was 49.21 + 9.25 with age range of 24-70 years. There were no significant differences between the mean ages of the two groups. Blood group O- and A+ were significantly (P<0.01) higher among the diabetics than non diabetics. Blood group O+ was significantly (P<0.01) lower in diabetics than in the control population. Blood group O- and A+ therefore appears to be more susceptible to diabetes mellitus

Effect of occupational exposure to local powdered tobacco (snuff) on pulmonary function in south eastern Nigerians

The effect of occupational exposure to local powdered tobacco (snuff) on pulmonary function was studied. Snuff industry workers in Onitsha and Enugu markets were studied and compared with age-, weight-, and height-matched control not exposed to any known air pollutant. The pulmonary indices studied include; forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and ratio of FEV1/FVC as percentage using a vitalograph spirometer and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), using a mini Wright Peak Expiratory Flow Meter. The respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms frequently associated with these workers were also analyzed and dust sampling in both test and control environments was also done. The mean anthropometric parameters, (age, height and body weight) between the two groups were not statistically different. The results obtained showed statistically significant impairment of lung function of workers chronically exposed to snuff. FVC, FEV1 and PEFR in the exposed (test) subjects were significantly decreased in comparison with the control subjects (P<0.05). However, the mean value of FEV1/FVC (%) of the test subjects was 86.8% which was within the normal range and was not significantly different from control. This signified that the test subjects had restrictive pattern of lung function defect. All respiratory symptoms, such as cough, chest tightness had a higher prevalence in test subjects than their control group. The lung function indices of snuff-producing workers proportionately decreased with their length of exposure in the industry. The respirable dust level in the vicinity (indoor) of the snuff-workers (1.11±0.35mg/m 3 ) was significantly higher than in the control environment,[(0.37±0.086mg/m 3 ) (P<0.001)]. Although it was not possible to determine all the factors that may be responsible for lung function impairment, the dust sampling result showed that chronic exposure to Nigerian snuff (powered tobacco) dust impairs lung function and the effect is progressive with time

PREDICTION FORMULAE FOR LUNG FUNCTION PARAMETERS IN FEMALES OF SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA.

This study was carried out to obtain normal lung function values for women in south eastern Nigeria with a view to establishing prediction equations for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Lung function values were measured in 600 apparently healthy Nigerian women aged between 18 and 57 years. FVC and FEV1 were significantly related to height (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively) and body weight (P<0.01), PEFR was also related to age (P<0.01) and height (P<0.001). Prediction equations for the various lung function indices were as follows: FVC = 0.145 + (1.390Ht) - (0.0076age) + (0.0089wt); FEV1 = 0.240 + (1.045Ht) - (0.0055age) + (0.0064wt); PEFR = -38.80 + (210.83Ht) + (1.650age) + (0.252wt). Ht is height in meters, wt. is body weight in kilograms and age is age in years. The ventilatory function indices were directly proportional to weight, height and to age. All the observed or measured lung function indices were not significantly different from their predicted values using the above prediction equations. Therefore, we conclude that lung function indices are influenced by the anthropometric parameters viz: age, body weight and height, and the prediction equations stated for FVC, FEV1 and PEFR for Nigerian women between the ages 18 and 57 years are reliable

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ON THE EFFECT OF CHLOROQUINE ON GASTRIC ACID SECRETION IN ALBINO RATS.

It is not certain whether chloroquine-induced pruritus is mainly attributable to the liberation of histamine, a powerful gastric acid secretagogue from mast cells, which may not be beneficial in peptic ulceration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out whether chloroquine (CQ) can stimulate gastric acid secretion in the rat. Gastric acid output was measured by the continuous perfusion of rats stomachs under anaesthesia with normal saline at the rate of 1ml per minutes. Thirty albino rats were divided into five groups of six rats each. Three groups had intraperitoneal administration of the following; normal saline (1ml/kg; control), CQ (3mg/kg; test) and Histamine H2 receptor antagonist, Ranitidine (4mg/kg) following CQ administration respectively. The other two groups had subcutaneous administration of histamine (100mg/kg) alone and histamine following CQ administration respectively. The basal acid secretion, (4.71± 0.05μmol/10mins) in a group of rats was not significantly increased in comparison with the peak acid output (p > 0.05) following normal saline administration (1ml/kg; i.p.). Administration of CQ in a second group significantly increased acid secretion to a peak of 7.2 ± 1.7μmol/10mins (p < 0.05). Ranitidine blocked CQ -induced acid secretion in a third group. Histamine significantly increased acid secretion from control level of 4.85 ± 0.14 μmol/10mins to 51.67 ± 5.07μmol/10mins (p < 0.001) in a fourth group, while CQ administered 2mins after histamine administration significantly increased acid level from 4.72 ± 0.12μmol/10mins to peak at 20.63 ± 3.28μmol/10mins (p < 0.001) in a fifth group of rats. The peak acid output in the fifth group was significantly lower than that obtained with histamine alone. In conclusion, chloroquine is a weak stimulant of gastric acid secretion rats. It inhibits histamine-stimulated acid secretion probably by occupying histamine H2-receptors in rats