NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
5
my opinion he is a very hardy animal, if worked in the climate he is accustom-
ed to and properly fed. Like any other animal, if hard-worked and given short
rations, he will soon go to pieces. Moreover, the camel, being a ruminant,
must have a bulky diet ; the substitution of a grain ration for a straw ration is
altogether wrong. There is room for improvement in the feeding of Military
camels and the treatment of sick camels.
With regard to the treatment of Military camels when sick, no medicines
should be administered except by the Veterinary Duffadar. Camelmen should
not be allowed to fire their camels for every ailment.
26. The technique of blood examination, in some Corps, is very bad. Indian
Officers, Kot Duffadars and Naiks should not be allowed to have anything to do
with blood examination ; this is the work of the Veterinary Duffadar. If he
has not had much experience of microscopical work he can always be sent to
this office for training.
27. As many of the Corps are on duty overseas and no information
has been received regarding mortality amongst the camels of these Corps, only
the deaths occurring, while they were in India, have been given in the mortality-
statements.
28. Anti-fly emulsion experiments.—It is well known that surra is
spread from camel to camel by blood-sucking flies. If healthy camels have to
pass through an area where surra is known to exist and blood-sucking flies are
prevalent, the chances of healthy camels marching through the area with-
out contracting the disease are very remote. If, however, the healthy camels
can be protected against the attacks of blood-sucking flies, they would be
able to march through the area, without fear of contracting the disease. Last
year the repellent action of emulsions of kerosine oil, chirpine oil, taramira
oil and asafœfida solution was noted
29. Experiments were carried out this year with the following :—
I. Creosol emulsion , composed of creosol and pix liquida recom-
mended by Lieutenant-Colonel Rudd, A, V. C.
II.—Jensen's emulsion.
III.—Citronella oil.
IV.—Aniseed oil.
V.—Cod Liver oil.
VI.—Castor oil.
CREOSOL EMULSION.
30. This emulsion contains—
Creosol
Pix liquida
Soft soap
Water
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
1 oz.
2 oz.
8 oz.
3 pints.
The amount recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Rudd to be used was 3 pints.
To test the efficacy the following experiments were carried out :—
Experiment I.— Six camels were sprayed with 3 pints of the emulsion
at 5 P. M. These camels were placed in. the shade of trees near water, one
unsprayed camel to act as a control being placed in close proximity to them
They were kept under observation for two hours.
Two Tabanidæ were
caught on the control camel (i.e., the unsprayed), but none were found on the
sprayed. The fact that only two Tabanidæ were seen on the unsprayed camel
showed that only few Tabanidæ were about at the time ; on the other hand, it
should be noted that the only Tabanidæ seen in two hours were on the un-
sprayed camels, none being found on the sprayed.
Experiment II.—The six sprayed camels and the one unsprayed camel
were examined next morning between 6 A.M.. and 7 A.M.. (i.e., about 13 hours
6
after being sprayed) for Tabanidæ A large number of Tabanidæ were found
on the six sprayed and also on the control (unsprayed camel) : Tabanidæ
attacked the sprayed and unsprayed equally.
Experiment III. -The six camels were again sprayed at 7-30 A.M.., and
were placed in the sun in close proximity to the unsprayed camel. In fifteen
minutes Tabanidæ were found on the unsprayed camel, and though Tabanidæ
flew round the sprayed camels they did not settle and suck blood till thirty
minutes had elapsed after the application of the emulsion.
Conclusions.—(1) Three pints of this emulsion are scarcely sufficient.
(2) If the animals are kept in the shade the emulsion would appear to
have some slight efficacy in warding off the attacks of Tabanidæ (see experi-
ment I).
(3) After 12 -13 hours the emulsion did not prevent the Tabanidæ
from biting (Experiment II).
(4) If the animals were sprayed and kept in the sun the emulsion pre-
vented Tabanidæ from biting for half an hour only (Experiment III.)
(5) As soon as the emulsion has dried on the skin it does not appear to
have the slightest efficacy against the attacks of Tabanidæ.
JENSEN'S EMULSION.
31. This emulsion is composed of—
Kerosine oil
...
...
...
Powdered naphthaline
...
...
Soap
...
...
...
Water
...
...
...
1 gallon.
4 oz.
1 lb.
4 gallons.
One application of this emulsion is said to protect cows against Stomoxys
calcitrans and Lyperosia irritans for a week. Five pints of this solution
were sprayed on two camels at 7 A.M.., and one unsprayed camel acted as con-
trol. The three camels were tied, at a short distance from one another, near a
pond in a rakh, where Tabanidæ were known to be prevalent. Between 4
P.M. and 7 P.M. Tabanidæ and Stomoxys were observed on the control, but
none were seen on the sprayed camels. At 8 A.M.., on the following day,
one Tabanus was observed on one of the sprayed camels, between 4 P. M. and
7 P.M. numerous Tabanidæ were present on both the sprayed and unsprayed
camels.
Remarks, At the time that these experiments were carried out camels
had little or no hair and the sun was very powerful.
The emulsion caused severe blistering of the skin.
Conclusions. (1) This emulsion prevents Tabanidæ from biting for
12 hours.
(2) The emulsion cannot be recommended for camels as it causes
severe blistering of the skin.
CITRONELLA OIL.
32. Three camels were used in this experiment, one being sprayed with
3 pints of the oil at 5-30 P.M. and the remaining two camels acting as
controls. The three camels were lied near a pond in a rakh, where Tabanidæ
were known to "he prevalent. From 5-30 P. M. till 7-30 P.M. Tabanidse and
Stomoxys were observed on the two control camels [i.e., the two unsprayed
camels), but neither Tabanidæ nor Stomoxys were observed during this time on
the sprayed camel. On the following day at 12 noon Tabanidæ were observed
on the two controls and the sprayed camel.
Conclusions.—Citronella oil prevents Tabanidæ and Stomoxys from
attacking for a few hours, but it has no repellent action after 17 hours.
7
COD LIVER OIL.
33. Three camels were used in this experiment one being smeared with
oil and two being left unsmeared to act as controls. The three camels were
tied at a short distance from one another, and 17 oz. of oil was smeared on one
camel at 9-45 A.M.. The oil was applied with a rag. A few inmates after the
camel was smeared Stomoxys settled on the smeared and unsmeared camels ;
the oil had no repellent action whatever.
Three hours after the application of the oil Tabanidæ settled on the
smeared and unsmeared camels.
Conclusions.—The application of Cod Liver Oil does not prevent
Stomoxys and Tabanidæ attacking camels.
ANISEED OIL.
34. Three camels were used in the experiment, one being sprayed with
one pint of aniseed oil, the remaining two acting as controls.
After the application of the oil the camel became restless, but after
about one hour the irritating effect of the oil passed off.
The oil was sprayed on the camel at 9-30 A.M., and 2½ hours after-
wards Tabanidæ were seen to stick blood ; Tabanidæ were noticed about the
same time on the controls. Stomoxys were observed on the controls practically
the whole time, but were only observed to settle on the sprayed camel 3 hours
after the application of the oil.
Conclusions.—(1) Tabanidæ appeared on the sprayed and unsprayed
camels at the same time. Aniseed oil has no repellent action against Tabanidæ
2½ hours after application.
(2) It has a slight repellent action against Stomoxys ; the length of
time it prevents Stomoxys from biting is so short that the oil cannot be
considered to be of any practical value in warding off the attacks of the biting
flies.
(3) The application of only one pint causes great restlessness in the
camel.
CASTOR, OIL.
35. Experiment I.—One pint of castor oil was smeared on one camel,
and 3 camels acted as controls. These three unsmeared camels were tied at a
short distance from the smeared camel.
Thirty-five minutes after the application of the oil Tabanidæ were seen
on the controls. Fifty minutes after the application of the oil Tabanidæ
approached the smeared camel but did not settle.
One hour fifteen minutes after the application of the oil Tabanidæ were
seen sucking blood on the smeared camel.
Stomoxys and the common house fly were noticed on the smeared camel
twenty minutes after the application of the oil.
Result.—One pint of castor oil smeared on a camel has practically
no effect in preventing Tabanidæ and Stomoxys attacking the camel.
36. Experiment II.—In this experiment one camel was smeared with
three pints of castor oil, and five camels, two ponies and two dogs were tied close
to the smeared camel to act as controls. The oil was not applied till Tabanidæ
were seen on the camels and ponies.
The oil was applied to one camel at 9-30 A.M.. From 9-35 to 10-30 A.M.. no
flies were seen on the smeared camel, though Tabanichæ, Stomoxys and the
ordinary house fly were numerous on the five unsmeared camels and ponies
acting as controls. During this time Tabanidæ approached the smeared camel
but flew away without biting.
10
Camel No. 1.
Male—1 year old.
Black quarter.
Camel No. 2.
Female—1 year old.
Black quarter.
Camel No. 3.
Male—7 years old.
Black quarter.
Control No. 1.
Buffalo calf—3 months old. Black quarter.
11
Control No. 2.
Calf—9 months old.
Black quarter.
12
Conclusions.— (1) Camels are as susceptible to black quarter as bovines
(2) The symptoms of black quarter in camels are identical with those
in bovines.
HÆMORRHAGIC SEPTICÆMIA.
40.. Are camels suspectible to Hæmorrhagic Septicaemia, a disease which
in India causes a very large number of deaths amongst bovines ?
To determine whether camels are susceptible to this disease 2 camels
were inoculated with 2 c.c. of culture and 2 calves and 2 rabbits acted as
controls.
Camel No. 1.— Male—one year old—inoculated with 2 c.c. of culture sub-
cutaneously : 10 hours after inoculation the temperature rose to 104.8. Thirty-
four hours after inoculation there was a slight swelling—hot and painful ; this
gradually subsided, faeces continued normal and the camel continued to feed
well. Twenty-four hours after inoculation the temperature became normal and
continued so, till the 7th day, after which no further observations were made,
the camel being in a normal state of health.
Camel No. 2. Male—seven years old—inoculated with 2 c.c. of culture
subcutaneously. Thirty-four hours after inoculation showed a very slight rise
in temperature. Forty-eight hours after inoculation slight swelling on the seat
of inoculation, this swelling disappeared after 2 days. The camel fed well the
whole time. He was kept under observation for 7 days.
(I might add that the temperature of a camel in a normal state of
health varies considerably : from 97° in the morning to 101° or over in the
evening.)
Control No. 1.—Rabbit—inoculated with 0.5 c.c. of H. S. culture sub-
cutaneously—died in 22 hours.
Control No. 2.—Rabbit—inoculated with 0.5 c.c. of H. S. culture sub-
cutaneously—died in 22 hours.
Control No. 3.—Calf—inoculated with 2 c.c. of H. S. culture subcu-
taneously—died in 49 hours.
Control No. 4.—Calf—inoculated with 2 c.c. of H. S. culture subcu-
taneously—died in 28 hours.
13
Camel No. 1.
Male—One year old.
Camel No. 2.
Male—Seven years old.
14
Control No. 1.
Rabbit.
Control No. 2.
Rabbit.
Control No. 3.
Calf.
Control No. 4.
Calf.
15
Conclusions.—From, the above experiments it would appear that camels
are not susceptible to Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.
RINDERPEST.
41. To test the susceptibility of camels to Rinderpest three camels
of different ages were inoculated with blood obtained from the Imperial
Laboratory, Muktesar. Two calves were also inoculated to act as controls.
The blood, however, proved to be non-virulent, therefore no conclusions could
be drawn regarding the susceptibility of camels to Rinderpest from these
experiments.
FEEDING EXPERIMENTS.
42. Very little is at present known regarding the feeding of camels.
The private owned camel has to depend largely on browsing, this is supple
mented at times by missa or moth bhusa and, when available, by green fodder,
such as taramira-green, moth-green, gram, etc. As a rule the private-owned
camel is given no grain. In order to determine the quantity of green food that
a camel will eat 7 camels (that were under observation, for the course that
surra runs in the camel,) were allowed to browse during the day and the
quantity of green taramira- (in addition to 6 lbs of grain) that they ate during
the night was carefully weighed. The browsing that they got during the day
was of very poor quality. The experiment was carried out during the month
of March (from 7th to the 31st) :—
No.
of
camel.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Average daily amonut of green
taramira eaten.
lbs
60
61
62
70
69
71
70
Gram,
lbs
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Average amount of
water drunk.
Gallons
2⅓
3
1⅓
3½
1⅔
3
1½
One healthy camel, that was working and fed on bhoosa and gram,
drank on an average 5 gallons of water a day. On 2 clays that he was ridden
14 miles, he drank 9½ and 8 gallons of water, respectively.
Remarks. — The camels that were fed on green taramira were doing no
work. Had they been working, the average amount of green taramira con
sumed would probably have been greater. In carrying out feeding experiments
with green taramira, care must be taken that it is not fed to the camels when
it is too bitter ; otherwise the camels will only eat a few pounds. To ascertain
the quantity of water drunk, camels must be trained to drink water from a
bucket. After the camel has drunk, the bucket must not be removed at once
as the camel does not drink all he requires straight away ; he drinks a certain
amount, then stops for a short time, say 5 minutes, then starts drinking again,
then stops again, and after a short time again drinks. He must be allowed
plenty of time, and the bucket must not be removed till it is certain the camel
has drunk as much as he wants.
Conclusions.—(1) The average daily amount of green taramira that a
camel will eat when doing no work and receiving 6 lbs of gram is 66 lbs.
16
(2) The average daily amount of water that a camel will drink when
fed on green fodder when the temperature is not high and doing no work is
2⅓ gallons.
(3) The average daily amount of water drunk by one camel, fed
on gram and missa bhoosa, and doing ordinary work was 5 gallons. When
ridden on 2 successive days 14 miles (in the month of March when the tempera
ture was not very high) the amount of water drunk was 9½ and 8 gallons, res
pectively.
The quantity of bhoosa that a camel will eat when—
(1) on work,
(2) doing no work,
(3) with grazing,
(4) with no grazing,
will be determined next year.
SORE THROAT.
43. No material from animals that had died of this disease could be
obtained. Two eases of the disease were brought to my notice by Captain May,
Commandant of the 52nd Camel Corps, Jhelum. One of these cases I kept
under observation.
I saw the camel in the afternoon shortly after he was taken ill. He pre
sented the following symptoms :—
First day.—(1) Off feed and suspension of rumination.
(2) Sitting down, no inclination to stand.
(3) Slight swelling of the throat.
(4) Neck stretched out on the ground and evidently in
pain.
(5) Breathing slightly rapid.
(6) Pulse full and slightly rapid, temperature 100.2.
(7) Constipated.
(8) Drunk a little water with difficulty, blood smears
showed nothing abnormal.
(8) Eyes dull.
(10) Salivation and champing of the jaws.
The camel was placed in the shade no medicine was administered internally,
neither was the throat fomented nor liniments applied. Water and green
wheat was placed in front of him.
Second day.—Next morning there was very little change, he had drunk
a little water and had eaten nothing but champing of the jaws and salivation had
stopped. The temperature was only slightly above normal, had passed a small
quantity of hard faeces, continued to keep neck stretched out, and the throat
was still painful.
Third day.—The following day he was much better. Kept his neck in
normal position, showed very little pain in the region of throat, temperature
and breathing were nearly normal, passed faeces, drank water and had eaten
some green wheat. The eyes were bright.
Fourth day.—Continued to improve : on the 7th day was put on to light
work.
Unfortunately it was not possible to inoculate a guinea pig with some
blood from this camel.
The other case, which I was unable to see, occurred in a rakh a long dis
tance away from Sohawa. This case also recovered, no medicine was adminis
tered, but fomentations were applied to the throat.
19
Treatment—A variety of drags (nerve sedatives and stimulants) were
tried but without the slightest effect Fomentations to the loins and blisters
also had no effect.
DACHI'S MILK.
47. It is usually stated that butter cannot be made from camel's milk
and camelmen assured me that such was a fact. I decided, however, to ascer-
tain whether butter could be made or not.
Three lbs. of milk were obtained and after churning for 4 hours 2 oz. of
butter were obtained.
Conclusions.—(1) Butter can be made from camel's milk.
(2) It takes about 4 times as long to get batter from camel's milk
as it does from cow's milk.
SURRA.
48. Further experiments were carried out in connection with the treat-
ment of surra in camels. No attempts were made by Commandants of Silladar
Camel Corps to treat camels suffering from surra. Captain Wace, Officer in
Charge of the Supply and Transport, Derajat Brigade, Dera Ismail Khan, ad-
opted the treatment recommended by me, viz., arsenic alone and a combination
of arsenic and soamin, and obtained excellent results.
He has sent me the following details : —
Total number of camels treated
Number of camels cured
Number of camels died under treatment
Number of camels relapsed
...
...
...
...
158
129
29
Nil
These treated camels were worked all through the winter and were favour-
ably reported upon by the Inspecting Veterinary Officer. Had these camels
not been treated they would have been shot. If the average price of a camel
is taken at Rs.140, Captain Wace has saved Government (Rs. 140 × Rs. 129) =
Rs. l8,060. He deserves great credit for his zeal. His Veterinary Jamadar
Ghazanfar Ali must have worked extremely hard, and I hope will receive some
reward for his work. Recognition of his work by Government would encourage
Veterinary Assistants in Silladar Camel Corps to attempt the treatment of camels
suffering from surra.
49. I—Alternate doses of mercury perchloride and chinosol with one
day's interval between each :—
Camel No. 1
1st day
3rd day
5th day
7 th day
8th day
9th day
10th day
11th day
12th day
13th day
Result.—
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously : fed
well.
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
...100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously :
diarrhoea, off feed.
... 100 c.c. of 1 % solution of chinosol intravenously: cow-dung, off feed
... off feed : cow-dung.
ditto.
... feeding fairly : cow dung.
... off feed cow-dung.
... fed fairly : fæces normal.
... fed well : fæces normal.
Relapsed 28 days after last dose of chinosol.
20
Camel No. 2.
1st day
3rd day
5th day
6th day
7th day
8th day
9th to
14th day
15th day
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously : fed
well.
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously: fed well.
... Diarrhoea : off feed.
.... 100 c.c. of 1 % solution of chinosol intravenously : off feed : diarrhoea.
. off feed : diarrhœa.
... feeding fairly : cow-dung.
... fed well : fæces normal.
Result.—Relapsed 10 days after last dose of chinosol.
Camel No. 3.
1st day
3rd day
5th day
7th day
8th day
9th to
12th day
13th day
... 100 c.c. of ¾ % solution of mercury peruhloridc intravenously :
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously:
... 100 c.c. of 1 % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
... off feed : cow-dung.
... fed fairly : cow dung.
... fed well : fæces normal.
Result. — Relapsed 11 days after last dose of chinosol.
fed well-
fed well.
Camel No. 4.
1st day
3rd day
5th day
7th day
8th day
9th to
12th day
13th day
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously:
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
... 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously:
... 100 c.c. of 1 % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
... off feed : cow-dung.
... fed fairly : cow-dung.
... fed well : fæces normal.
Result.—Relapsed 11 days after last dose of chinosol.
: fed well.
fed well.
Camel No. 5.
1st day
3rd day
5th day
7th day
8th and
9th day
10th and
11th day
12th day
..100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously ;
,.. 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of chinosol intravenously : fed well.
,.. 100 c.c. of ½ % solution of mercury perchloride intravenously
... 100 c.c. of 1 % solution of chinosol intravenously : off feed :
... off feed : diarrhœa.
... feeding fairly : cow-dung.
... feeding well : fæces normal.
Result.—Relapsed 11 days after last dose of chinoaol.
: fed well.
: fed well.
diarrhoea.
Conclusions.—Alternate doses of mercury perchloride and chinosol given
intravenously, in as large doses as can to be tolerated, has no curative action
against surra