Yoghurt seen to help in treatment of animal scour

The possibility that yoghurt could be used to treat scour in young lambs and calves has been raised by two Co Wicklow students taking part in this year's young scientist exhibition. They confirmed the effectiveness of using yoghurt to treat the condition.

Their research was prompted by a suggestion in the Farmer's Journal and was first carried out on tissue samples supplied by a local butcher, explained Catherine Byrne (15) of Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, who worked with a third-year classmate, Caroline Kavanagh (15). Yoghurt, when it curdles in the stomach, is believed to help arrest the intestinal condition which causes ruminant animals not to thrive.

The team investigated the effectiveness of milk and a variety of yoghurts, including some they made themselves. They hope to extend their project to working with live lambs this spring, and to calves. "There is a clear difference between giving them milk and yoghurts, and some difference depending on yoghurt-type."

Yoghurts made with non-aerobic type cultures seemed to be more effective, Catherine added. They also examined the curdling process and how it occurs in ruminant stomachs by sealing stomachs and monitoring the process of breaking down their contents.

Research by a transition year team from Loreto College, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Sarah Jane Campbell (15) and Cairin Conway (15), confirmed that the chemical fluorine, in the form of fluoride in water, may have harmful effects. The merits of adding fluorine to public water supplies should be re-examined, they urge.

An experiment in growing tulips in distilled water and in water containing fluoride showed the flower dying in the second sample. This trend, which was found in tulip production in Holland, was a significant factor in the withdrawal of public water fluoridation there, according to Sarah Jane.

The students also examined the effectiveness of filtration techniques in absorbing fluoride from a water supply by building their own model filter bed. They concluded that filtration units may not take out the fluoride though they may get rid of bad smells, off-tastes and other chemicals in the water. Fluoride is added to supplies as a public health measure to reduce dental caries, especially in children.

They believed the use of a distillation unit may be the only way to get rid of the fluoride where a consumer wants fluoride-free water. In addition, their project highlights the possibility of uneven distribution of fluoride in public supplies and, Sarah Jane claimed, a lack of definitive indication that householders are getting it at the right level.

Given concern that fluoride may be contributing to arthritis, rheumatism, migraine and brittle/ mottled teeth, and their findings disputing the effectiveness of water filtration and distribution, they concluded the use of the technique should be reconsidered, especially as the use of fluoride-containing toothpastes was now so widespread. Moreover, with the advent of bubble-gum flavoured toothpastes, she was aware of children "eating" significant quantities of it because they like the flavour.

Judging in the 1999 Esat Telecom Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition begins tomorrow and the main winners will be announced by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, on Friday evening.