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The symptoms noted were paroxysmal fever, temperature running up to 106.5° F., accompanied by the
usual symptoms of fever; in some few cases opacity of the cornea, and more rarely extravasation of blood
into the anterior chamber of the eye supervened late in the course of the disease. The blood was mi-
croscopically examined daily, but the Surra organism was never discovered. These animals suffered,
shortly before death, from a gangrenous condition of the integuments of the feet; and the emaciated
condition of their bodies is difficult to describe.
Early in 1893, and during the before-mentioned epidemic among the Bombay Fox-hounds and
Fox-terriers, I was requested to visit the Kennels at Bandora, in order to investigate the disease on the
spot. The symptoms noted in their sequence were, paroxysmal fever, anorexia ; at a later date,
swelling of the integument about the head and throat ; injection of the conjunctival membranes ;
increased lachrymation, in some cases, effusion into the joints, and marked œdema of the limbs and
under-surface of the abdomen; extravasations of blood into one or both anterior chambers, followed by
opacity of the cornea, and later, total blindness. Some hours previous to death, marked dyspnœa would
be a prominent symptom, with consequent drawing in of the chest-walls, and, in some instances,
convulsive attacks intervened. During the course of the disease a progressive emaciation took place,
the body at the time of death being reduced to a skeleton, and frequently presenting the appearance of
a mere bag of bones.
On microscopical examination of the blood of these animals a hæmatozoon, resembling that found
in the circulation of the horse, the subject of Surra, was discovered during the paroxysms. The
hæmatozoon was also observed in the fluid of the anterior chamber of the eye, although, as a rule, the
organisms were absent during the same period from the general circulation. In one or two later
observations on inoculated animals, it was noted that the opacity of the cornea occurred during the
absence of the hæmatozoon from the general circulation (intermissions), and that during the subsequent
paroxysms the cornea became more or less clear.
The organisms obtained from the fluid of the anterior chamber of the eye, frequently presented
hæmatozoa of two or three different sizes, but each one, as far as one could make out, fully developed,
the largest-sized being at least three or four times the dimensions of those ordinarily observed in the
horse. The undulating membrane was always remarkably well developed and very distinct.
With regard to the pathological lesions found at the autopsies, these varied in different animals
according to the length of time the animal lived after contracting the disease, but the following account
will give a very fair idea of the conditions met with.
Bodies extremely emaciated, frequent staining of the tissues, due to bile pigments. Swellings in
the subcutaneous tissues of the head, throat, chest, under-surface of the abdomen or limbs. On
removal of the skin, collections of jelly-like material may be found at one or several of the above-
mentioned situations.
Thorax.—Sometimes a small quantity of fluid in the pleural cavities, either clear, semi-opaque or
blood-stained. Occasionally pleuritic adhesions, principally near the anterior portions of the lungs.
Lungs.—Frequently the seat of a localized emphysema, at the apices or along the free borders of the
organs or both. Sub-pleural extravasations of blood varying in size, and sometimes localized consolid-
ation. On section, tissues frequently œdematous. Fluid in the pericardial sac, clear, semi-opaque
or blood-stained, according to the condition of the visceral pericardium. Externally, small extravasa-
tions or petechiæ lying under the epicardium, singly or in groups, principally around the base or
following the course of the coronary vessels. On section, the cavities contain dark-red semi-solid clots,
or, in cases where the animal had lingered some hours previous to death taking place, decolourized
clot, generally of a pale orange hue. Very seldom were any sub-endocardial extravasations noticed.
When jaundice had been a symptom during life, the valves were found to be of a deep orange colour.
Abdominal cavity.—Usually a small quantity of a clear coloured fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
Liver.—Enlarged and undergoing more or less fatty degeneration. On section, organ found to
contain much blood.
Spleen.—Much enlarged, numerous sub-capsular petechiæ. On section, tissues firm, in others soft
and friable.
Kidneys.—Capsules strip easily, revealing enormous numbers of minute dark-red coloured spots.
On section, the same spots were found to be visible all through the cortical substance, and were due to
the distended condition of the Malphigian bodies. The pelvis of the kidneys frequently contains some
semi-gelatinous material, stained a pale orange colour.
Stomach on section.—Frequently devoid of food: mucous membrane pale and petechiated near the
pyloric opening.
Intestines.—Present a healthy appearance, as a rule.
Bladder.—In some cases, the mucous membrane at the fundus presents small extravasations of
blood, lying beneath the mucous coat.