5
(e) A surra camel which was a had " shiverer " before treatment was
cured of surra and the shivering was vastly improved ; I think therefore that
it is quite worth while to treat any surra camels which show this symptom.
Utiles for actual closing applicable to all the methods of treatment.—The
evening is the best time for dosing as the effects of any temporary depression
due to a dose will pass off in the night. During the day, the doses can he
weighed so as to save time ; the Tartar emetic, Sodium Arsenate and Arsenious
Acid may be dissolved so as to be ready, but the Soamin must not be dissolved
until just before its administration.
It must be realised that doses must be exact ; so that weighing and
administration require care.
The hypodermic needles in use may be conveniently kept in alcohol
in the glass-jar.
Before use, see that syringe is in working order and that the needle
fits and is clear and clean ; this is clone by flushing first with distilled water,
and then with the alcohol from the glass-jar, which can be used over and
over again. Clip, wash, and disinfect seat of injection (whether subcutaneous
or intravenous).
Subcutaneous injuctions arc conveniently done under the loose skin
either in front of or behind the shoulder. The point of the needle should be
detectable just below the skin before injecting.
Intravenous injection is easy in the camel owing to the immense
size of the jugular vein. The most convenient spot is opposite the larynx ;
the vein is easily "raised" by pressure applied at the side of the lower surface
of the neck below this point. It is best to have the neck flexed backwards
until the poll touches the withers. The following are good rules for the
injection:—
(i) See the bulge of the " raised" vein before puncturing it, i.e.,
do not guess its position.
(ii) Give each assistant the same work to do on each occasion, i.e.,
one to flex the neck, one to "raise" the vein, one to hold
the syringe, and so on.
(iii) Puncture first with the needle and when blood flows through
it, fit on the syringe, then the man "raising "the vein
removes his pressure and the injection is made.
(iv) After injection, draw the needle out of the vein without detach-
ing the syringe from it.
Probably most Veterinary Assistants would have more confidence if
given a practical demonstration of intravenous injection in the camel. If
through faulty technique, a swelling develops over the vein, that on the opposite
side may be used for future closes.
All drugs used in subcutaneous and intravenous injections must be
made up with distilled water. Intravenous injections should be filtered
before injection and after filtering the filterpaper must be squeezed so that
no part of the close is left behind in it.
Soamin doses must be freshly dissolved just before administration. The
glass pestle and mortar are useful in dissolving the doses of Soamin and Tartar
emetic in a minimum quantity of distilled water. When Tartar emetic is given
intravenously to a camel for the first time it must be injected very slowly
as it sometimes causes a temporary but severe depression of the heart; the
second time there is rarely any trouble. The same care should be taken also in
injecting intravenously solutions of Arsenious Acid ; and if the needle is allowed
to slip out of the vein during injection, the drug will cause great swelling and
inflammation.