No description available.

This thesis describes the in vivo evaluation of orally administered extracts of Echinacea species, and fractions obtained from Echinacea purpurea for specific immunostimulatory function induced in Balb/c mice by immunization with microbial vaccines. Two vaccines were used for this purpose in this study. The first vaccine used consisted of whole-cell formalin-killed Salmonella typhimurium vaccine, which is known to induce production of specific antibodies but no delayed-type hypersensitivity response considered as an indicator of the cell-mediated immune response. The second vaccine was a commercial acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) consisting of inactivated diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and native or inactivated virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis (the etiological agent of whooping cough) which is known to induce a humoral immune response but with controversial reports about performance in the induction of cell-mediated immunity. Both vaccines were administered intraperitoneally, whereas the herbal extracts and fractions were administered by oral gavage. The phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extracts of Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea angustifolia and one commercial product "Echinacea Triplex" and three fractions prepared from Echinacea purpurea, namely polysaccharides, phenolics and alkylamides, was determined by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and/or by chemical analytical techniques. Statistically significant increases in specific anti-Salmonella typhimurium serum antibody were obtained for the Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea Triplex [Trade Mark] treatment groups, and also for groups receiving treatment with fractions obtained from Echinacea purpurea, namely, polysaccharide, alkylamide and phenolic fractions. Statistically significant increases in the anti-B pertussis serum antibodies were also obtained in the young Echinacea Triplex [Trade Mark] group vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine. Significant enhancement of serum interleukin-12 titres was observed in the Echinacea Triplex [Trade Mark] as well as the phenolic fraction treatment groups which were vaccinated with killed Salmonella typhimurium vaccine. Of the groups vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine, only Echinacea Triplex [Trade Mark] displayed statistically significant increases in mean interleukin-12 titre compared to the placebo in both young and old groups, however Echinacea purpurea, and Echinacea angustifolia both displayed significant increases in mean interleukin-12 titre in the young treatment mice. Increases in interferon-gamma levels in mice orally dosed with phenolic, polysaccharide or alkylamide fractions of Echinacea purpurea and vaccinated with the killed Salmonella typhimurium vaccine were also observed, however these need to be repeated for confirmation, and statistical analysis.

Swaziland is a British Protectorate of approximately 6,700 square miles. It is a subtropical country, border in the East by Mozambique and in the North, West and South by the Transvaal. There are approximately 270,000 Africans and 10,000 persons of other races living in the Territory. The country is divided into Highveld, Middleveld and Lowveld regions. The work described here was carried out in the South Western highveld. This is mountainous terrain, with an approximate altitude of 3,500 feet and an annual rainfall of about 30". The terrain is a succession of mountains and valleys, with several perennial streams and rivers coursing through it. The climate is variable, with hot summers and cold winters, with rainfall predominantly in the summer. Large man made forests are scattered throughout the area, and there is some cutting and processing of timber, but industries as such are not found in that part of the Territory.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

My thesis has explored the history of child immunisation in New Zealand from a socio-medical perspective. The framework has been hinged around the actions and immunisation strategies of the Health Department over the period 1920 to 1990 and the responses of parents to those actions and strategies. One of the most important concepts considered was how the Health Department decided on and then implemented immunisation policy during the period. Health professionals played a significant role in the delivery of immunisation to children and have impacted on a number of policy changes. After World War Two, with an increase in the number of vaccines on offer, the specialised expertise of the World Health Organization and the Epidemiology Advisory Committee in policy determination became very influential. The responses to departmental immunisation policies by parents demonstrated a significant change during the period, although most apparent in the 1980s. From a situation of wariness (and perhaps indifference) in the 1920s and 1930s to almost total vaccine acceptance from the 1950s, the 1980s were, by contrast, illustrative of parental assertiveness especially concerning side-effects. The advent of feminism in the 1970s and the issues of informed consent in the mid-1980s assisted in raising levels of parental awareness in immunisation which continued into the 1990s. Ethnic and socio-economic background also contributed to different levels of acceptance of immunisation, which will be addressed. Opposition to immunisation tended to wax and wane during this period. Two groups were dominant, although at opposite ends of the time spectrum. Both were small but vocal in their views. Nevertheless, neither group made much impression on New Zealand parents, although they were both an irritant to the Health Department. Overseas experiences in immunisation were interwoven throughout my thesis to set the New Zealand events in an international context. The introduction of a particular vaccine was compared and contrasted with similar schemes elsewhere to give an appreciable understanding of New Zealand’s position. Vaccine controversies overseas were also examined to determine their influence in New Zealand. Immunisation policy has been shaped by a myriad of factors and influences from both inside and outside the country. There were extensive changes over the years in the way parents, health professionals and the Health Department perceived immunisation which will be examined in my thesis.

My thesis has explored the history of child immunisation in New Zealand from a socio-medical perspective. The framework has been hinged around the actions and immunisation strategies of the Health Department over the period 1920 to 1990 and the responses of parents to those actions and strategies. One of the most important concepts considered was how the Health Department decided on and then implemented immunisation policy during the period. Health professionals played a significant role in the delivery of immunisation to children and have impacted on a number of policy changes. After World War Two, with an increase in the number of vaccines on offer, the specialised expertise of the World Health Organization and the Epidemiology Advisory Committee in policy determination became very influential. The responses to departmental immunisation policies by parents demonstrated a significant change during the period, although most apparent in the 1980s. From a situation of wariness (and perhaps indifference) in the 1920s and 1930s to almost total vaccine acceptance from the 1950s, the 1980s were, by contrast, illustrative of parental assertiveness especially concerning side-effects. The advent of feminism in the 1970s and the issues of informed consent in the mid-1980s assisted in raising levels of parental awareness in immunisation which continued into the 1990s. Ethnic and socio-economic background also contributed to different levels of acceptance of immunisation, which will be addressed. Opposition to immunisation tended to wax and wane during this period. Two groups were dominant, although at opposite ends of the time spectrum. Both were small but vocal in their views. Nevertheless, neither group made much impression on New Zealand parents, although they were both an irritant to the Health Department. Overseas experiences in immunisation were interwoven throughout my thesis to set the New Zealand events in an international context. The introduction of a particular vaccine was compared and contrasted with similar schemes elsewhere to give an appreciable understanding of New Zealand’s position. Vaccine controversies overseas were also examined to determine their influence in New Zealand. Immunisation policy has been shaped by a myriad of factors and influences from both inside and outside the country. There were extensive changes over the years in the way parents, health professionals and the Health Department perceived immunisation which will be examined in my thesis.

My thesis has explored the history of child immunisation in New Zealand from a socio-medical perspective. The framework has been hinged around the actions and immunisation strategies of the Health Department over the period 1920 to 1990 and the responses of parents to those actions and strategies. One of the most important concepts considered was how the Health Department decided on and then implemented immunisation policy during the period. Health professionals played a significant role in the delivery of immunisation to children and have impacted on a number of policy changes. After World War Two, with an increase in the number of vaccines on offer, the specialised expertise of the World Health Organization and the Epidemiology Advisory Committee in policy determination became very influential. The responses to departmental immunisation policies by parents demonstrated a significant change during the period, although most apparent in the 1980s. From a situation of wariness (and perhaps indifference) in the 1920s and 1930s to almost total vaccine acceptance from the 1950s, the 1980s were, by contrast, illustrative of parental assertiveness especially concerning side-effects. The advent of feminism in the 1970s and the issues of informed consent in the mid-1980s assisted in raising levels of parental awareness in immunisation which continued into the 1990s. Ethnic and socio-economic background also contributed to different levels of acceptance of immunisation, which will be addressed. Opposition to immunisation tended to wax and wane during this period. Two groups were dominant, although at opposite ends of the time spectrum. Both were small but vocal in their views. Nevertheless, neither group made much impression on New Zealand parents, although they were both an irritant to the Health Department. Overseas experiences in immunisation were interwoven throughout my thesis to set the New Zealand events in an international context. The introduction of a particular vaccine was compared and contrasted with similar schemes elsewhere to give an appreciable understanding of New Zealand’s position. Vaccine controversies overseas were also examined to determine their influence in New Zealand. Immunisation policy has been shaped by a myriad of factors and influences from both inside and outside the country. There were extensive changes over the years in the way parents, health professionals and the Health Department perceived immunisation which will be examined in my thesis.

My thesis has explored the history of child immunisation in New Zealand from a socio-medical perspective. The framework has been hinged around the actions and immunisation strategies of the Health Department over the period 1920 to 1990 and the responses of parents to those actions and strategies. One of the most important concepts considered was how the Health Department decided on and then implemented immunisation policy during the period. Health professionals played a significant role in the delivery of immunisation to children and have impacted on a number of policy changes. After World War Two, with an increase in the number of vaccines on offer, the specialised expertise of the World Health Organization and the Epidemiology Advisory Committee in policy determination became very influential. The responses to departmental immunisation policies by parents demonstrated a significant change during the period, although most apparent in the 1980s. From a situation of wariness (and perhaps indifference) in the 1920s and 1930s to almost total vaccine acceptance from the 1950s, the 1980s were, by contrast, illustrative of parental assertiveness especially concerning side-effects. The advent of feminism in the 1970s and the issues of informed consent in the mid-1980s assisted in raising levels of parental awareness in immunisation which continued into the 1990s. Ethnic and socio-economic background also contributed to different levels of acceptance of immunisation, which will be addressed. Opposition to immunisation tended to wax and wane during this period. Two groups were dominant, although at opposite ends of the time spectrum. Both were small but vocal in their views. Nevertheless, neither group made much impression on New Zealand parents, although they were both an irritant to the Health Department. Overseas experiences in immunisation were interwoven throughout my thesis to set the New Zealand events in an international context. The introduction of a particular vaccine was compared and contrasted with similar schemes elsewhere to give an appreciable understanding of New Zealand’s position. Vaccine controversies overseas were also examined to determine their influence in New Zealand. Immunisation policy has been shaped by a myriad of factors and influences from both inside and outside the country. There were extensive changes over the years in the way parents, health professionals and the Health Department perceived immunisation which will be examined in my thesis.