4
(6) Alcohol to keep the needles in.
(7) Magnesium Sulphate, for cases of Soamin poisoning.
(8) Chlorodyne, for checking diarrhoea.
(9) Distilled water (plentiful supply).
12. Choice of treatment.—This depends chiefly on the condition of the
camel and sometimes also on age and height.
The height I go by is that at the withers on a line with the elbow-pad.
If the camel is in good hump, " 264 treatment" is the one most suitable
for him. It costs about Rs. 4 per camel treated and has cured over 50
per cent. of the camels that were in good condition at the start. It requires
about 21½ grammes of Soamin. Accidents in this treatment have not been
seen. It covers a period of from 31 to 37 days.
If the camel is in medium condition, with some hump, or well filled
out though with but little hump, " 668 treatment" is the best to apply. It
costs about Rs. 4-8-0 per camel treated, but the doses require grading according
to the age and height of the camel. Although I have had success at the
rate of 62 per cent. of camels treated, accidents were frequent, viz., 22 per
cent. The remaining 16 per cent. relapsed subsequent to treatment. If,
however, the plan of stopping the treatment is adopted when great
intolerance to the drugs is shown, fatal accidents are few, and the camel can
be treated again later ; this plan has been adopted with success, the camel
standing the second treatment well and being cured of surra. The " 668 treat-
ment " requires about 25 grammes of Soamin ; it covers a period of 23 days.
If the camel is really emaciated with acute surra, his only chance
of successful treatment is by a short method, vis., " 178 treatment," An
emaciated camel cannot stand a long treatment. "178 treatment " is short
and violent, covering only 9 clays ; it has given 35 per cent. of cures, 35 per
cent. of relapses and 30 per cent. of fatal accidents. It costs in drugs Rs. 2
per camel treated.
If the camel is emaciated but only showing short mild paroxysms of
fever separated by long intervals, it would be better to feed him up for 4
to 6 weeks and then subject him to " 668 treatment," than to put him at once
on " 178 treatment" which is a " last resource."
13. To be noted before treatment is applied —(a) It is absolutely
essential that throughout the treatment the camel should receive complete
rest and a first class ration so that he can " fill his belly " every day. A good
level grazing-ground is a great advantage, but not essential if there is an
abundance of green fodder available. Even where there is good grazing, a
ration must be given as well.
In addition it is a good plan to give occasional balls of ata and gur
when the camel is not feeding well. The treatments make demands on the
animal's strength, but with good feeding during treatment this is soon made
good.
(b) When " 668 treatment " is used, the owner must be warned of the
possibility of accident from poisoning ; and when " 178 treatment" is applied,
he should be told that the method almost amounts to a " kill or cure."
(c) It will not be worth while to treat camels for surra which are—
(i) Suffering from chronic cough (nearly always due to lung
abscess) ; or
(ii) Suffering from pneumonia ; or
(iii) Lame from chronic cause ; or
(iv) Old camels in poor condition.
(d) The first dose must always be given when trypanosomes are pre-
sent in the blood, and pre ferably near the beginning of a paroxysm.