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SECTION IX.
COMPLICATIONS OF SURRA.
A.—Diseases of the Respiratory Organs.
Pneumonia.—When present, the consolidation was localized or circumscribed.
In the majority of cases one lung only was attacked, but it was not confined to
any particular position, the apices, anterior inferior angles, bases and centre of
the organs being the seat of the change; but in the latter position it was
generally superficial, (i.e.) lying directly under, and for several inches below the
pleura, which was also involved. It was observed in three out of eight cases of
the naturally contracted disease, (cases Nos. II, X, LXXI); and in one out of
two cases when the disease was transmitted by gastric injestion (case No. XXVI).
But when transmitted by subcutaneous inoculation of ante and post mortem
blood, with the former it was seen in three out of nineteen cases, and with
the latter, in six out of fourteen cases.
Emphysema.—A localized emphysema, usually complicating the apices and
the edges of the lungs, was present in nearly every case in horses, but in Guinea-pigs
it was found frequently pervading the entire organ. In several instances, distend-
ed lobules lying immediately beneath the pleurae were found to project in the
form of blebs, as large as walnuts with very thin and almost transparent walls ;
whilst in one case the large bleb was filled with a clear but dark, amber-coloured
fluid, but not containing red blood corpuscles.
A collapsed or atalectatic condition of the apices more particularly was not
an infrequent complication.
Pleurisy is an occasional complication. It was noticed in three cases ;
adhesions were present in one, No. VIII, and with effusion in two, Nos. V, XI.
B.—Complications referable to the Organs of Circulation.
Sudden Collapse has been mentioned by Steele as a not unfrequent ter-
mination in Surra cases in mules. In two cases we have observed it, especially
in Case No. LXXI ; the animal fell dead, without any premonitary symptom or
warning of any kind.
Palpitations and vehement action of the heart occur to a greater or less
extent towards the termination of every case. The impulse of the heart is so
forcible as to move the body of the animal when each beat occurs.
Pericarditis has not been observed as a complication of Surra.
Hæmorrhages.—Epistaxis has occurred in two animals, but the hæmorrhage
on each occasion was only slight in amount.
C.—Complications referable to the Genital and Uterine Symptoms.
In mares serous effusion beneath the vulval mucous membrane is not infre-
quent; and as Steele observes " the irritation of these parts is, however, shown
by frequent symptoms of ' Horsing' ; indeed in mares there is almost always in
this disease a little reddish brown fluid, dried about the external generative
orifice, which discharge persists throughout the attack. The parallel to this
sexual phenomenon of mares is seen in male animals, as frequent and quite
uncalled-for erections of the penis, which may be due to irritation of the erection
centre in the cord, but possibly also is associated with the formation of clots in
the erectile structure of the penis, which organ latterly in the attack remains
permanently slightly protruded and turgid, or there may be embolic plugging in
the vessels."
Premature birth—Miscarriage.—In small animals such as rabbits and
Guinea-pigs, pregnant females always miscarry within a short time after the
appearance of the organism in the blood. If the female is near the full term of
gestation when the organism makes its first appearance in the general circulation,
the young may be born alive, and thrive as in the case of Guinea-pig No. III
(pregnant doe).
D.—Complications referable to the Integuments and Joints.
Œdema of the extremities and under-surface of the abdomen. In horses
which have come under our observation, oedema has been of exceedingly common