69
Hay, 15 to 20 lbs.
Lucerne (fresh), 10 lbs.
*Barley, 8 to 14 lbs.
or
Gram, 6 to 10lbs.
Bran, 1½ to 3 lbs.
Salt, 1½ ounces.
Daily.
10. When once the organism of Surra has vanished for some days from the circulation of the
animal under treatment, gentle exercise commencing with five hundred (500) yards, and gradually
increasing to one mile, morning and evening, may be allowed. But if the temperature becomes ele-
vated, all exercise must be stopped, until the former again registers within normal limits.
11. The exudation of semi-solid material (œdema) into the subcutaneous, tissues, notably that of
the lower extremities, sheath and under-surface of the abdomen, generally becomes absorbed after a
time under the influence of Arsenic and exercise, but this may be accelerated by daily 'massage' of
the body and limbs.
12. Surra horses, under treatment with Arsenic for long periods, and which eventually die, at
their autopsies frequently present some atrophy of the, spleen. Consequently subcutaneous injections
of infusion of spleens have been made in order to ascertain whether the material injected would per-
form the function of the atrophied organ. Encouraging results have been obtained.
13. Certain of the Horse Surra cases under treatment somewhat suddenly developed symptoms
of Chronic Arsenical poisoning. These, which include partial loss of power over the hind quarters,
crossing of the hind limbs when walking, and general unsteadiness, and nervous tremours, usually
proved fatal within 48 hours; although the further administration of the drug was immediately dis-
continued on their recognition. In some of the later cases under our treatment these fatal symptoms
have been successfully combated by the subcutaneous injection of infusions of spleen and testicle
(sheep).
14. The question with regard to the administration of Arsenic to animals at the commencement
of the rains, as a preventive, in districts where Surra is epizootic, is one worthy of trial. A dose of
five grains of Arsenic in the form of Liquor Arsenicalis (ten drachms) given once a day in the drinking
water to each animal, could not fail to produce a beneficial effect, and could, with safety, be continued
for a month at a time. The dose of Arsenic should then be gradually reduced every three days by half
a grain at a time until it is discontinued altogether. An interval of seven days should then be allowed
to elapse, and again the same process persevered in with intervals, until the termination of the rains,
or end of October.
Remarks on Prevention and Legislation.
As it is recognised that Surra may be propagated in animals by means of drinking water, fodder,
rat excrement mixed with corn, and the bite of certain kinds of flies, the following rules for guidance
were drawn up some years ago (1894), and owners of dâk animals in certain Surra localities were in-
formed of the best means of trying to protect their animals from acquiring the contagium.
The following are the most important: —
(i) All water for drinking purposes should be boiled, when possible, from June to October in-
clusive, before being given to the animals at stations in districts infected with Surra.
(ii) Hay should be made in cold weather (October to January), and stacked for the use of
animals during the rains. The hay to be obtained from uplands, or from land not subjected to
inundation, or better still from land entirely beyond the affected area. Green food should, during
the rainy season, be prohibited, unless it is brought from without the Surra area.
(iii) All gram and corn to be screened and cleaned before being given as food.
(iv) The use of the bel (creeper) leaves as food to be discontinued during the months June
and September (inclusive)
Suggestions applicable to animals working on certain dâk lines where Surra appears annually in
the rains.
(i) Dâk animals, when returning to their own stage, should not be allowed to graze or drink
water along the road, especially during the months of May to October inclusive.
(ii) A light preventive muzzle might be introduced.
(iii) All diseased animals should at once be isolated at a considerable distance from healthy
ones, and subsequently destroyed if not subjected to treatment.
(iv) All carcasses should be burnt, together with the dung and stable litter, where wood is
available for the purpose; otherwise, deep holes should be dug and the bodies buried at a depth of
six feet.
* Boil half the daily quantity given to the animal morning and evening with half the amount of salt for 1½ hours, then mix
with the bran and give when nearly cold.
B 2204-18