A REVIEW ON TRADITIONAL VETERINARY MEDICAL PRACTICES IN SRI LANKA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CATTLE DISEASES

Sri Lanka has well developed systems of traditional veterinary medicine. Unfortunately most of our people today, are unaware of these practices and they generally seek western modern veterinary medicinal assistance due to this unawareness and also for convenience in their busy lives. Hence, this study was undertaken to collect and preserve the old knowledge and practices. Data were gathered from traditional veterinary physicians in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces, 011a leaves and text books. These physicians have a knowledge in identifying and treating diseases, preparation of medicines, mode of drug administration, burning of vital points (moxibustion), branding, and blood letting. Specific applications of metaphysical nature such as mystical diagrams and charms, `Yanthra' or 'Kern' are also used. The striking feature of this treatment regimen is the incorporation of both physical (visible) and metaphysical (invisible) methods to treat diseases as preventive and therapeutic measures. The medicinal preparations consist of herbs, metals, minerals and animal products including milk products, eggs, bones, meat, spider web, anthill mud and human urine. It is also observed that the traditional veterinary medicinal practices; especially in treatment of cattle, are very diverse.


INTRODUCTION
Sri Lanka has a well developed traditional system of Medicine, Agricultural methods, Architecture & Culture since ancient days. Traditional physicians of Sri Lanka regularly treated human patients, animals; especially cattle, other household animals, elephants & horses for various ailments. These treatment methods were passed down from generation to generation through writings on olla leaves or being taught by father-to-son. According to the "Mahawansa", a historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, veterinary hospitals were established by the ancient kings with veterinary doctors appointed to treat animals; especially cattle, in most villages. The reason for paying special attention to cattle was due to a close relationship between man and the domesticated cattle since early days of human history. Its milk, meat, skin, horns, cow dung, urine, etc have been used as food or medicine. These animals were further used in agriculture and transportation.
According to the Sri Lankan traditional veterinary physicians, there are 4,448 varieties of Weppu (Lethargy) Adappan (Nasal discharge and tremors) diseases, 120 of general diseases, 300 diseases of hepato billariary system, 8 diseases along the spine, 300 diseases of the intestines, 13 diseases of the joints of the legs, 1,448 diseases of the head and four extremities that may occur in cattle. Although this classification of diseases is huge in number, the Sri T ankan traditional veterinary physicians have *Corresponding author: ayurvedadocsujatha@yahoo.com the knowledge to identify and treat them by using various methods. Some of these methods are described below.
The commonest route for drug administration in cattle is through the mouth. Other routes of drug administration include nose, ear, and anus. Thè Marma' or vital points of the body; akin to acupuncture pressure points, are popular application sites for therapy where branding of special patterns in order to stimulate the immune system is carried out. Bloodletting from specific blood vessels is also performed as a method of treatment. Further treatment methods include collyrium (Anjanam), fomentations, medicines applied to the whole body, inhalations (smoke or other medicaments) and fumigation. The prominence of certain veins and the hang of the tail help diagnosis and prognosis of certain diseases and conditions. Direct hand manipulation is a common method used to relive constipation and retained placenta. The aim of this study was to collect and preserve at least a portion of the traditional veterinary medical practices on cattle diseases in Sri Lanka.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Treatment methods were gathered from traditional veterinary physicians in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces who specialize in treating cattle diseases. Further data were collected from Sri Lankan traditional veterinary text books and olla leaves. Some Oral and nasal administrations of medicines: Oral administration of medicine to cattle A 60cm long reed of Bambusa valgaris (Poaceae; Sinhala: Una) is used for this purpose. The inner surface of the reed is scraped carefully with the help of a knife and inner internodes are removed. Outer side is smoothened and one end is rounded. The rounded end of the reed is inserted into the animal's mouth up to the throat and medicines are poured in through other end of the reed.
Nasal administration of medicine A 30cm petiole of Carica papaya (Caricaceae; Sinhala: Gaslabu/ Pepol) is used for this purpose. One end of the petiole is inserted inside the cow's nostril and the medicine is poured to the cow's nostril from other end of the petiole.
Preparation of Whey Sixty (60)g of curd is mixed with 250m1 of water and beaten well for thirty minutes. The scum formed on the top of the mixture is removed and remainder is used as whey. These traditional veterinary physicians brand the tip of the tail for twenty types of `Adappan' and, brand veins around the umbilicus for `Sidannoi' diseases. Inhalations (Nasna) are used for Weppu (lethargy), Adassi (constipation), Adappan (nasal discharge and tremors), dyspepsia, and defecation with mucous and Sidannoi (passing faeces with mucous). Collyriums (Anjanam) are used for most diseases and specially for Weppu (lethargy) and constipa-tion. Method of Fumigation (Dum allima) is used for especially for `Weppu' (lethargy). Fomentation is used for diseases of `Weppu' (lethargy) and

RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS
Adappan' (nasal discharge and tremors). Drugs are applied on whole body, especially for Weppu' (lethargy), shivering, fever, and Adassi' (constipation) diseases. Drugs are administered through the ear for diseases such as Weppu (lethargy), Adappan (nasal discharge and tremors), fever and defecation with mucous.
One of the special treatment methods for cattle is bloodletting treatment. When suffering from Adappan' the blood flow in the veins at the right side of the neck of the cow is hot to touch, vibrating like a bow-string and is very fast. Measure two inches from the joint of ulnar olecranon of the forefoot and puncture the vein downwards. If the blood flow is frothy and uniform colour, the animal is curable.

DISCUSSION
Traditional veterinary physicians use endemic plants such as L. zeylanica, C. albiflora, Z. officinale to treat cattle disease. One of the commonest has been the fresh plant of P. amboinicus. According to the study, traditional physicians treated mostly for gastrointestinal diseases, hoof diseases, infectious diseases and worm infestations. Various treatment methods and drug administering methods have been used in treating cattle. These physicians use different charms for different diseases, but some of these charms are common for treatment of most ailments as well as preventive measurers. Sri Lankan traditional veterinary physicians use different shapes of branding for various diseases and also as a preventive method. 100g of each carpal of A . sativum and rhizome of Acorus calamus (Acoraceae; Sinhala: Wadakaha) are ground with 240m1 juice of fresh bark of Crateva adansonii (Capparacea; Sinhala: Lunuwarana). 25m1 of castor oil or 25m1 of vinegar is added in to the above thick juice. This mixture is given orally twice a day. 100 g of quartz rock is pulverized to powder. This is sprinkled on to coconut-shell charcoal embers. The rising smoke is directed to fumigate the anal region of the cow.

Mee
Heartwood of Mashuca longifolia (Sapotaceae; Sinhala: Mee) is scraped using a stone and is applied to the lower palpable con- Dried faeces of pigs are collected, and then heated in an earthen pot till it is burnt to ash. 50gm of this ash is mixed with sesame oil and applied on ruptured hoof. 150g Olida Overgrown hoof is trimmed with the help of heated blade of 150g Ehela hoe. 150g each of leaves of Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae; Sinhal: Olida) and Cassia fistula (Fabaceae; Sinhala: Ehela) are cut in to small piece and pounded together. 240m1 of water is added to the above mixture and juice is extracted by squeezing. Whey is added to the above juice till the final volume is 375m1. Dosage: 375m1, twice a day, orally.

Wara
Two parts of roots of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae; Sinhala; Wara) and one part of anthill-mud are ground with water till it turns into a fine paste. It is then applied on inflamed hoof.

Preparation and administration
Two parts each of leaves of Erythrina variegate (Fabaceae; Sinhala: Erabadu), Nicotina tabacum (Solanaceae; Sinhala: Dumkola), rhyzome of Typhonium trialobatum (Araceae; Sinhala: Panu ala), fruit of Solanum xanthocarpem (Solanaceae; Sinhala: Batu) are cut into small pieces Two part of chimney-soot and one part of lime are added into the above mixture. The mixture is ground together till it turns to a fine paste. This past is kept over the wounds to cover the whole cavity. This paste helps to extrude maggots and promote healing.
Two parts of bark of Strychnos nux -vomic (Loganiacea; Sinhala: Godakaduru) are pounded with one part of brick powder. This paste is applied to cover the wound. Two parts of tender leaves of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae; Sinhala: Ahu) and one part of rhizome of C. Longa are pounded together. Above paste is mixed with sesame oil and heated in an earthen pot till it cooked. This preparation is laced on the wound.  paste.25m1 of ghee is added to above paste and the above mixture is given orally twice a day. 100 g each of leaves of Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae; Sinhala: Maduruthala), Vitex nagundo (Verbenaceae; Sinhala: Nika) and Physalis micrantha (Solanaceae; Sinhala: Mottu) are pounded together. Juice is extracted by squeezing and water is added till the final volume is 300m1. 50g of carpel of A .sativum is ground well and added into above juice. 25m1 vinegar is stirred well to the above fresh juice. 200g each of rhizome of A. nigra, C. albiflora and Z .officinale, root of M .
oleifare, Leaves of Crotalaria laburnifolia (Fabacea; Sinhala: Yakberiya), Albizia amara (Fabacea; Sinhala: Iha ) and P. amboinicus are pounded together. 1500m1 of water is added to the above mixture and juice is extracted by squeezing. The extract is then boiled in an earthen pot .This is applied over the whole body.
Apply human urine on the contusion without speaking.