60
its blood, and remained present until death on the morning of the 1st August. It was the intention
to have continued the drugs for some time longer previous to the subsequent injection of soiled blood
being made, but as accidental inoculation took place by a fly or flies it is supposed from a Surra horse
standing some yards away, the experiment came to an end prematurely, showing that a mean of
35.8 c.c. of the Double Iodides, persisted in for thirty days, has no destructive effect upon the Trypano-
soma.
Autopsy.—Body fairly nourished, some œdema of the extremity. Thorax.—No fluid in the cavities,
no pleural adhesions. Lungs localized, emphysema of anterior lobes, several somewhat extensive sub-
pleural extravasations on the surfaces of the organs. Pericardium.—No fluid in the sac. Heart 5 lbs.
4 ozs. gelatinous exudations round the base, dotted over with light red petechiæ. On section sub-endo-
cardial extravasations involving both ventricles. Abdominal cavity free from fluid. Liver 10 lbs. 9¾ ozs.
Old perihepatitis, few calcareous nodules dotted through the tissues. Spleen 3.8 lbs. 8¾ ozs., double
normal weight. Sub-capsular petechiæ over both surfaces of organ. Kidneys.—Right 1 lb. 4½ ozs., Left
1 lb. 2½ ozs. Capsules strip easily. The right contains a calcareous nodule imbedded in the cortical portion.
Stomach.—Cuticular portion healthy in appearance. Villous portion, mucous membrane petechiated,
no ulceration or erosion. Intestines present a healthy appearance. Bladder presents a healthy
appearance.
SECTION V.
DIAGNOSIS.
In order to diagnose Horse Surra, it was stated* that " the demonstration of the Trypanosoma will
distinguish the disease from all other febrile maladies, and in order to exclude the possibility of any
cases presenting dubious symptoms, being those of Surra, it will be necessary to carefully examine
microscopically several cover-glass specimens of the blood of the suspected animal for a period of ten
days."
During the four years which have elapsed since the above was written, experience has taught one
that this is the all-important principle to rely upon, when a diagnosis is required.
The following instance will serve as an example of the difficulty of making a diagnosis in some
cases. On December 4th, 1893, a horse in fairly good condition was received at the Laboratory Hospital
in Poona, which was thought might be the subject of Surra. Several cover-glass preparations of the blood
of this animal were daily examined microscopically from the 4th to the 12th of the month, both days
inclusive, a period of 9 days, but no hæmatozoa were discovered. On the evening of the latter date,
the animal succumbed somewhat suddenly, and in order to make the diagnosis of the disease sure, two
healthy guinea-pigs were each inoculated with 0.3 c. c. of blood taken from the heart of the horse, one
hour after death. The blood of inoculated small animals was subjected to daily examination, and on
the 9th and 10th days after inoculation the Surra hæmatozoon was discovered in each case respectively,
clearly proving that the horse had been the subject of Surra.
On the other hand, one might quote instances in which gentlemen have been so sure that their
horses have been the victims of this disease that they have disagreed with the diagnosis of the Veteri-
nary Officer in charge, and requested him to destroy their animals. On that officer refusing to do so,
on the plea that the disease was not caused by the Trypanosoma Evansi, the owners have then informed
him that if he could cure the horses he might keep them as his own property. This he agreed to, and
cured them. Now, this form of disease is characterised in equines by symptoms very much resembling
those found in an advanced stage of Surra :—yellowness of the visible mucous membranes, conjunctival
petechiæ accompanied with rapid loss in condition and the occurrence of relapses.
Animals suffering from these manifestations—a form of so-called bilious fever, caused by the pre-
sence in the system of an entirely different species of organism to the flagellated protozoon, when
carefully treated, frequently or more correctly speaking, in the majority of cases, recover ; whereas
Surra is an absolutely fatal disease. So here again a certain diagnosis cannot be made without the use
of the microscope.
Several other diseases from which horses suffer in this country are accompanied by petechiæ
involving the conjunctivæ, during the course of the malady. As a rule, however, these extravasations
of blood are small, and of a bright-red colour, differing considerably from the extensive ecchymoses, for
the most part involving the membrana nictitans, observed in Surra patients. These latter present a
varying display of colours, especially when the visible mucous membranes are at the same time bile-
stained.
There is one symptom in Surra animals which has been insisted upon by all observers and writers
on this disease, namely, a ravenous appetite. A desire for food usually ceases with the supervention of
fever in the horse, but this disease is an extraordinary exception to the rule. My remark in 1893 was
to the effect that " in most cases from the very onset of the disease until death, which may occur
weeks or even months later, the animal may never cease to eat all the food placed before it, and in
numerous cases under my own observation the bedding has been devoured during the hours of the
night, the temperature at the time being 41.2°C. (106.1°F.) or even as high as 42°C. (107.6°F.). Evans
remarks : " Some cases at last drop down, and die suddenly, perhaps when they are eating and enjoying
their food
while other cases linger for days after they are down, too weak to rise or to stand after
* Vol. I, Surra Report.