11
the breast-pad is however sometimes seen in acute Surra and in pneumonia ;
whilst in chronic Surra the oedema is more often around the base of the
breastpad and is very slight, the part " pitting " on pressure although there
may be no marked swelling. Oedema of the hind feet is sometimes seen in
hospital cases which have had no exercise. Oedema under the belly is also
sometimes seen in dachis in advanced pregnancy. Oedema of the temporal
fossa occurs in a few cases of Surra, but if only affecting one side it draws
attention to disease in frontal sinus or to other forms of " Kapaulee."
54. General notes on treatment of camels in sickness.—The chief obstacle
to the treatment of camels in hospital is the camelman, not because he is any
more difficult to deal with than other stockowners, but because he usually
has more than one camel and cannot stay in one place and tend his sick
animal at the cost of losing the work of the remainder.
Sick lines should be situated in a grazing-ground, and should have a
store of grain and bhusa and some camelmen to look after the sick so as to
leave the owner free to work his other camels.
If not too ill to graze the camel should be allowed some freedom in the
grazing-ground and when he ceases to graze he should be brought in. When
in lines he should be put in the shade. In febrile cases, in lameness fro m
joint-diseases or in bruised pads, the camel should not be tied down either
in the day or night ; it is best if he can be free in some enclosure ; otherwise
his nose-rope should be tied to a stone, leaving sufficient length for him to
stand with head erect ; for these cases prefer to stand.
When off grazing, he may be given missa bhusa and gram or be tempted
by any seasonable green stuff or branches cut from trees ; if the latter,
branches of those trees are most suitable from which the leaves are easily
stripped by the camel, e.g., Farash, Banyan, etc., and to allow him to get a
purchase on the loose branches for this stripping action it is often necessary
for the camelman to hold the branches. If he refuses to feed at all himself,
he should be handfed by the camelman. Few animals can be coaxed into
feeding in this way so readily as the camel, and it is an important measure in
nursing this animal.
Linseed tea, decoction of moth, and massalas of Ghur, Ghee and Ata, rice
congee, etc., are useful for supporting the strength.
Bran mash however is an acquired taste.
If he will not drink and it is thought advisable, water may be poured
down his throat, since he is the easiest animal of all to " drench," and also the
least liable to choke.
If the animal has diarrhoea, his tail should be tied to one side. A jhool is
necessary on cold nights.
55. Regarding drugs for internal use, the following " simples " are amongst
those found really useful for camels at Sohawa :—
Magnesium Sulphate, of which 2 lbs. is a reliable purgative for the camel.
In India 1 cwt. costs only 9 rupees.
Kamela, which in doses of 6 or 7 oz., is an active purgative ; the bazar
drug, however, is rather unreliable owing to adulteration.
Ammonium Carbonate in half-ounce doses as a stimulant, especially in
respiratory diseases.
Potassium Bicarbonate in half ounce doses in rheumatism which is
common in camels.
Strychnine Sulphate, given hypodermically, in 1 grain doses, dose should
never exceed 1½ grains ; it is the most useful stimulant for the camel.
A sitting camel which refuses to budge will sometimes get up soon after
its administration.
Chlorodyne, 6 drams, as a sedative.
01 Tereb.
Catechu and creta praep.
It may be mentioned that aloes is an uncertain purgative ; eserine is
useless for bowel complaints ; and that although Barium Chloride given intra-
venously was found to purge healthy camels without distress in about 5 minutes
after its administration, it has been found dangerous for use in sick camels.
56. OTHER ANIMALS—
Anthrax. —A case (confirmed microscopically) came under notice in a
pony at Montgomery in March 1911.