After he shared his practices with NIF, prior art search (patent and non-patent) was undertaken after plant identification. The herbal practice for ephemeral fever was found to be novel. This is a short term vector borne viral disease characterized by sudden onset of fever, stiffness, lameness and nasal and ocular discharges. However, if not treated properly may be fatal as well. This unique medication was tested at GC Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, CSKHPKV, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh involving several veterinary institutions in districts of Mandi and Kangra. It was found that his medication was effective in minimizing respiratory distress and lameness on the third day of the clinical infection. The temperature of affected animal was also found to be steady the second day onward after the administration of medication. The medication also restored the average milk yield sixth day onward.
To ascertain whether the knowledge about the particular herb for treating ephemeral fever was common or not, community meetings were held among herbal healers and villagers in many villages of East Champaran and nearby four other districts. During the meetings no one was reported to use the said herbal plant for treating ephemeral fever.
Sheik Hebazat Hussain (62), an agriculturist and a herbal healer, has been practicing a novel herbal treatment for curing ephemeral fever in cattle.
A school dropout, Hebazat, has his wife, three sons and two daughters in his family. The family has been practicing agriculture for sustenance. However, most of the time cultivation gets affected due to heavy floods in his area. They also own a few livestock for domestic purposes. To supplement his income, he also tried to sell fruits but had to discontinue due to his health.
The source of his herbal knowledge was his guru, late Ustad Md. Sheikh Hazi Munshi with whom he used to spend a lot of time about four decades ago. With time he grasped the knowledge shared by his ustad and also understood medicinal properties of various plants through his own experimentation. Today, people from many nearby villages come to seek his advice on animal health related problems. He never seeks any financial remuneration as he believes in sharing knowledge for the society. He administers herbal medication for respiratory distress, ephemeral fever, fracture, otitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain and retention of placenta.