Reference Type

Journal Article

Record Number

56

Author

Gueye, E.F.

Year

1999

Title

Ethnoveterinary medicine against poultry diseases in African villages

Journal

World's Poultry Science Journal

Volume

55

Pages

187-198

Label

Journal

Keywords

Ethnoveterinary medicine

Notes

The author discusses ethnoveterinary treatments that are practised by poor farmers in African villages to control diseases in poultry. The remedies usually involve natural materials that are readily available. To demonstrate the extent of the disease problem, the author cites a reference to an estimated annual loss of 75 million chicks, keets and ducklings annually in Africa. The high prevalence of poultry disease and the dependence of farmers on ethnoveterinary treatments (often their "only option") is documented.

Tables are used to indicate the diseases recognised by villagers (mainly Newcastle disease), the percentage of farmers who use natural products to treat avian diseases (35% to 79%) and the plant products used to treat various conditions. The author notes that this knowledge is often held by older people, that it is communicated by word of mouth, and that knowledge regarded as secret is subject to loss or suppression. Similarities between natural treatments for human and avian diseases were noted. The bibliography of more than 40 references, many in French, makes this a valuable source of information.

The author stresses that the selection of treatments has been restricted to those believed by villagers to be effective. He advocates scientific investigation of the efficacy of these remedies. The author regrets that some of the plants that are listed are threatened with extenction.