NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
196
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
of the tail may slough off. In some cases, in spite of active and
careful treatment, the destructive process continues till it reaches
some 8 or 10 inches from the root of the tail. Mr. Petley informed
me that the Burmans state that if unchecked the-disease spreads to
the spine. The disease is known to the Burmans as khoo-sah-de
(eaten by a caterpillar),
. The elephant a tai in Plate X
shows a bandage round stump of his tail. This animal was treated
for a long time by Mr. Petley but nothing seemed to arrest the
disease.
Treatment.—As
laid down for ulcers in general, but Burnett's
fluid and nitric acid diluted as already stated are the best to try in
these cases.
SINUSES AND FISTULÆ.
A sinus or fistula is an abnormal narrow channel in the
tissues forming a communication between a septic focus and some
other part of the body such as the surface of the skin or a natural
cavity. The term sinus is applied when the tract is open at one
end and the term fistula when it is open at both ends. As a rule
sinuses and fistulæ arise from an abscess which has not closed by
reason of containing some dead tissue or other foreign body. The
most common seats of sinuses, etc., are above the hoof-slipper, on
the spine, and the temporal gland.
Treatment.—Consists
in searching for and removing the cause
if possible ; in neglected abscesses of the spine the cause is usually
found to be the presence of a portion of dead bone. In the feet the
sinus will be found to communicate with a small abscess cavity ; the
pus not having been able to escape through the sole has followed
the line of least resistance and burst above the slipper. In all
cases treatment consists in rendering the parts healthy, therefore
one should scrape out all dead tissue ; this object may also be
effected in situations where the use of a knife in inexperienced
hands entails some risk by the injection of Burnett's fluid 1 dr. to
8 ozs. of water, solution of nitrate silver 10 grs. to the ounce, or a
very small quantity of powdered corrosive sublimate rolled up in
the form of a cigarette in cigarette paper may be rammed down and
left for a couple of days, after which the dead tissue will slough
out, leaving a healthy surface which may be healed by the ordinary
means. In cases where the sinus communicates with an abscess
cavity the best treatment consists in slitting up the sinus so as to
let out the pus. Should a sinus or fistula extend into a joint cavity
setting up suppuration there, the joint should be thoroughly washed
[Facing page 196.
PLATE X.
FINE SPECIMEN OF A TAI, SUFFERING FROM PROGRESSIVE ULCERATION OF THE TAIL.
BURNS AND SCALDS.
197
out with antiseptic solution and then an injection of one part of
corrosive sublimate to four parts of glycerine and an equal quantity
of water should be made into the joint once. This produces great
swelling and a considerable amount of pain for twenty-four hours,
but at the end of that time the sinus will generally be found closed.
A full dose of opium should be given before the injection, as
considerable difficulty may be experienced in administering it later.
BURNS AND SCLADS.
When left to himself the elephant is not subject to this class of
injury, but in captivity he may be accidentally injured. The degree
of injury varies from simple scorching to complete destruction of the
skin and underlying tissues of the part. When deep or extensive
they may cause a fatal termination through shock or the absorption
of toxic products produced by tissue destruction.
Treatment.—The first principle in the treatment of these injuries
is to protect the parts from the air by the application of oily dressings
such as carron oil, i.e., linseed or olive oil and lime water, in equal
parts and well shaken to ensure mixing, or subacetate of lead
solution 2 ozs. and linseed oil or other bland oil 16 ozs., after which
cotton wool and bandages should if possible be applied. Later on
antiseptic dusting powders will do all that is necessary.
CHAPTER VI.
SPRAINS. FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS. CRAMP. RHEUMATISM.
SPRAINS.
The elephant though a sure-footed animal is liable to sprains,
especially of the joints a little above the pad in the fore and middle
of hind limbs. They occur when animals have to pass over rocky
ground, getting a foot suddenly wedged between heavy logs, placing
a foot on unsound ground (and it is surprising how frequently
elephants will do this, though they are credited with being so very
careful), working in heavy mud such as tidal creeks.
Wild
elephants do not appear to be more cautious than tame ones, as it is
not unusual when following up a herd to find that a member of it
has walked upon ground apparently sound, and on which one of
his legs has gone through to a depth of a couple of feet or more,
and I have on two or three occasions come on places where a bank
has given way, and by the saplings and bushes knocked clown, there
was little doubt that the elephant went down also. I also witnessed
an accident where a loaded elephant was walking along on a newly
made road, when it suddenly gave way under him and he rolled
down some 40 or 50 feet screaming and trumpeting. We had to
get a couple of elephants down to assist him to rise after the load
was removed. The camp was fortunately not far off, so he was
walked in quietly without his load. He showed no symptoms that
day beyond stiffness but next morning he could hardly move ; one
of his legs, near hind, was much swollen from foot upwards for
about a foot, and he was very tender and sore over the loins. He
made a good recovery under treatment but it took two months.
Fording streams with a rocky bottom, especially where there
are a number of large loose stones, renders animals liable to sprain,
as also does overloading, hurrying them especially in hilly country.
Symptoms.—Enquire
into the history of the case : Lameness,
heat, swelling, tenderness and pain. There is often very great pain
when the joint is involved, so much so as to induce fever and loss
of appetite.
Treatment.—Cold
water continuously applied by standing
the animal in a stream, cooling lotions may be used (see Formulæ
103—106). When the inflammation has subsided stimulating
FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS.
199
liniments (Formulae 70—74) may be rubbed in, or a smart blister
applied. As a means of gentle exercise when the acute symptoms
have subsided, swimming a short distance will be found suitable.
In certain sprains of the limbs elephants may be kept standing
and resting the injured limb so long that the tendons may become
contracted, with the result that the animal is rendered useless. Care
should therefore be taken in all such cases that gentle exercise is
begun as soon as the acute symptoms have subsided. Should there
be a tendency this way it is necessary to make the animal extend
his limb, and for this purpose a boot with a batten of wood of
required size fixed on the sole should be applied. This treatment
has proved beneficial in the two or three cases that I have met with.
Injury to the loins.—In these cases the injury usually takes
place when a loaded animal is going down a very steep place ; his
fore-legs may suddenly slip ahead, and to stop himself he drops his
hind-legs in the ordinary way, but in these circumstances he has
not time to do it quietly, and the suddenness and consequent strain
may hurt the muscles of the back. A history of the case will afford
much assistance in these accidents. I have never seen an animal
totally disabled. If an elephant after a slip shows any difficulty in
rising, very often manifested by the animal trumpeting, the load must
be removed forthwith and a couple of elephants brought to give a
hand to enable him to rise. Once on his legs after he has finished
trembling the mahouts should massage the back in the usual manner,
and then take him quietly into camp if he can be moved. Several
days' rest may be necessary.
The treatment consists in warm applications to the back,
massage (which operation is well carried out by Burman, Karen and
Shan mahouts) and the application of strong liniments. When better
gentle exercise is to be allowed. It is advisable for some time
after such an accident that the animal be loaded lightly ; it is also
as well not to put him to any heavy work such as ounging heavy
timber.
FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS.
A fracture is a sudden and forcible solution of continuity in a
bone. It is quite a rare accident in elephants.
Classification.—A fracture is simple when the skin over it is
unbroken, compound when there is a wound extending through the
skin and soft structures down to the bone, and comminuted when
the bone is broken into fragments or splintered.
Symptoms.—A
grating sound which is heard when the broken
ends rub together, alteration in the shape of the part, swelling,
200
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
pain, loss of power, excessive mobility, inability to bear weight.
In a limb there may be shortening. Fractures may be complicated
by injuries to surrounding structures such as blood vessels, nerves
or other important organs.
Treatment.—If in a limb the animal may be given a chance if
a simple fracture, as he may recover with a slightly shortened limb
and be able to work in yards, etc. If after three months he shows
no signs of being useful, he had better be destroyed.
A dislocation is the forcible separation of the articular end of
the bone from the part with which it is naturally in contact. This
accident is also uncommon.
Causes.—External violence, falls, etc.
Symptoms.—The general symptoms are alteration in the shape
of the joint, inability to move the part and if in a limb alteration in
the axis of the limb. A dislocation is distinguished from a fracture
by the following :—
The swelling in a dislocation occurs at a joint, the pain is
often not very acute and there is no grating sound to be heard.
Treatment.—In some cases there is only a partial dislocation.
It is however hopeless trying to reduce a dislocation in an animal
over which one has so little control and whose strength is
immense.
CRAMP.
Cramp is a spasm of muscle of variable extent, i.e., many
muscles may be attacked or only a few.
Causes.—Cold, especially entering water in an exhausted or
heated condition.
Symptoms.—The
animal suddenly is incapable of using his
limbs, which become painful and stiff owing to muscular contraction.
In deep water when he discovers his helplessness he loses his head
and is drowned. It is a common accident.
In these cases of
drowning, Burmans attribute cause of death to the bite of a mythical
fish, yesin (
) or natsin (
).
RHEUMATISM.
Throughout the muscular system of the elephant there runs a
considerable amount of fibrous tissue, and this no doubt has largely
to do with the comparative frequency of this malady in these
animals. It is a painful affection and owing to its liability to
RHEUMATISM.
201
recur troublesome. The disease affects the muscles, tendons and
their sheaths, especially about joints. Recovery is often tardy.
Causes.—Cold is generally regarded as the chief cause. Expo-
sure to wet, damp, cold winds, insufficient shelter, early baths
when water is very chilly, working in and out of streams for hours,
rapid cooling of the body after exertion.
Symptoms.—The first symptom attracting attention is that an
animal is very stiff or even lame without apparent cause. If able
to move about there is a shortness in the step, the leg is carried,
the joints not being flexed ; there is usually severe pain and swel-
ling of the affected parts. There is no fever unless complicated
with some other ailment, and the appetite is unimpaired. The
groups of muscles most affected are those about the loins, hips,
shoulders and extremities, in the latter in the region of the knees,
hocks, and about the middle of the fore and hind limbs. Some of
the characteristic features of rheumatism are the wandering or
shifting nature of the pain from one part to another for instance
from a hind to a fore limb, the liability to recurrence, and the fact
that the stiffness or lameness wears off or may even disappear after
exercise. In my experience rheumatism is a local affection, that
is I have never seen the whole muscular apparatus affected in these
animals.
Treatment:
Preventive.—Must
be directed to removal of the
causes enumerated above.
General.—Bowels to be kept regular by administration of laxa-
tives (Formulae 23 to 28). Salicylate of soda in 6-dr. doses mixed
with sugar, etc., may be tried with advantage, as also bicarbonate
of soda or potash ½ oz. twice a day for two or three days or until
pain is relieved. A course of arsenic often does good. Change
to a dry climate, which at times can be managed, is most beneficial.
Local.—In this method of treatment friction, and not the
drug, plays the most important part. Rest and hot fomentations
frequently applied to affected parts, rubbing in with friction liniments
(see Formulæ 70 to 75).
Hayes recommends-the following handy
liniment:—Kerosine oil in which as much camphor as it will take
up has been dissolved.
CHAPTER
VII.
DISEASES OF THE SKIN.
Inflammation of the skin.—The
skin in common with other
structures is liable to become congested and inflamed. This may
merely be superficial affecting the surface of the skin called abrasion,
or deep affecting the deeper layers, or subjacent tissues as abscess,
and both will necessarily vary in extent.
ABASIONS
OR
GALLS
Consist of local breaches of the surface due to friction.
Causes.—Most commonly seen as a result of the chafing of ill-
fitting gear, gear ropes and chains, or of fettering or tethering
chains, or dirt.
Severe galls may be met with on the legs especially amongst
recently captured animals. The raw hide thongs by which the legs
are tied together are often drawn too tight, the parts swell and the
thongs cut deep into the flesh. These animals in trying to get free
strain and twist themselves about to such an extent as to cause
nasty cuts with ropes and chains. Animals in musth are for the
same reason liable to similar injuries. They are sometimes due to
carelessness, such as the habit of carrying lengths of chain in the
opening of the guddee along the spine or yards of chain are coiled
round a leg and the elephant set free to graze ; if not removed
regularly, or changed occasionally to another limb, dirt or sand
work in, cause friction and soreness of the skin, which if not
attended to may lead to nasty sores.
The irritation which has been sufficient to produce an abrasion is
often sufficient to produce engorgement of the deeper lying parts,
which will be found swollen, hot and tender. This condition is
seen usually on the back and is the result of a badly adjusted or
heavy load.
The abraded surface is frequently very much smaller than the
underlying swelling of the tissues. If this is not immediately attended
to, the animal entirely rested, and the abrasion carefully dressed,
there is every likelihood of the swelling increasing and becoming an
abscess, or the abraded surface which really represents superficial
[Facing Page 203.
PLATE XI.
AN OPEN SORE DUE TO AN INJURY.
ABRASIONS.
203
destruction of the skin may die or slough so as to incorporate the
whole thickness of the skin (forming the condition familiarly known
in horses as- " sitfast"), the slough on separating leaving a hole.
Treatment:
Preventive.—Consists
of cleanliness both of the
skin and the gear with appliances. The gear should always be the
best made, as cheap materials are notoriously provocative of chafes
and galls. It should always be carefully fitted and adjusted, and
frequent inspection of the gear and appliances during work, and
readjustment of loads gear when necessary must be enforced.
After work when the gear is removed careful inspection for chafes
should be instituted. Mahouts from malice sometimes place foreign
bodies such as stones under the guddela with the intention of
laying up an animal as before remarked under pack-gear. Some
mahouts from ignorance or thoughtlessness stow away spare chains
into the space of the guddee, which when placed on the guddela
forms a convenient receptacle. This is a serious malpractice. To
sum up, all preventive treatment consists in thorough supervision.
Curative.—Rest
so far as it will remove the offending agent is
imperative, by which is meant should there be a crupper gall, and the
animal can be worked without the crupper no harm need arise.
The raw surface, however small or apparently trifling, should be at
once attended to and dusting powders, ointment, applied (see
Formulæ 64 to 69 and 125 to 129).
Should the abrasion be situated on a swollen base, cold applica-
tions should be frequently applied night and day or in the form of
cooling lotions (see Formulæ 103 to 106) to try and check the
condition running on to abscess, but should there be no reduction
of heat, pain and swelling within three days, hot continuous
fomentations must be substituted to hasten the formation of matter
which it may be taken is certain to be forming. These hot fomen-
tations will also assist in hastening the detachment of any dead
tissues, should there be sloughing. Those parts where fetters, etc.,
are applied for tethering purposes are liable to chafes and galls ;
when this occurs they ought to be placed on other limbs.
In recently captured elephants thongs and ropes must be tied
if necessary in a new situation or discarded, and extra fetters and
tethering chains put on for security.
In these cases, owing to the danger of approaching the animal,
the sores are neglected and maggots gain access : they should be
treated as laid down under wounds. The use of a powerful syringe
to frequently play disinfectants on affected parts is most necessary
in dealing with these wild beasts.
On service it is sometimes necessary to work animals with
slight galls. In such cases the injured parts may be relieved by
204
A
TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
removal of stuffing from the guddee to form a hollow large enough
to take in and protect the part from further injury.
NOTE.—Timely warning here must be offered, which must be
applied to all diseases of the skin, abrasions, ulcers, abscesses,
wounds, including sprains and lameness from any cause. The prac-
tice as usually observed is to put animals into work as soon as
ever the diseased condition has been repaired ; this is a serious
malpractice. The tender new skin which has recovered an ulcerated
surface requires several days, if not weeks, to acquire sufficient
durability to tolerate conditions which may be applied to a healthy
skin in the way of friction and pressure. The same applies to all
tissues which have newly replaced diseased ones.
An animal
therefore should be kept out of work from a week to a month,
depending on the severity of the injury after he appears to be
thoroughly convalescent. If attention is paid to this matter it will
be found more economical in the long run.
PITYRIASIS OR SCURF.
Causes.—Elephants that are badly cared for, and whose general
health suffers in consequence, are specially liable to this disease ; it
however may also occur amongst animals that are irregularly
worked but in other respects well cared for.
Symptoms.—A general unthriftiness of the skin which may be
hot and very tender. Irritation may or may not be present. If
the skin be carefully examined, it may be observed that the scales
which resemble dry bran are being cast off on all parts of the body.
The hair on the body and tail is easily removed. In some cases
the skin may be noticed to be rather harsh, in others it remains
soft and pliable.
Treatment.—A
change of food and jungle-grazing is usually
beneficial in these cases. If the patient has been over-fed, the
quantity should be reduced. In cases where debility is present, a
liberal allowance is to be made, and the fodder should be clean and
fresh. Attention must be paid to the state of the digestion, and also
to the action of the bowels. Regular exercise, regulated in accord-
ance with the strength of the patient, is essential. The body
should be lightly groomed daily with a soft brush or cocoanut fibre
glove and afterwards washed with carbolized soft soap and water,
and occasionally with a weak solution of washing soda. Internally,
a course of tonics, of which the best results are obtained from the
administration of iron or arsenic, or both.
ECZEMA.
205
URTICARIA.
Nettle-rash
or surfeit may occasionally be met with. It
consists of an eruption on the skin, which is usually very sudden in
its appearance.
The rash may be general or appear only in
patches.
Causes.—The more frequent causes are errors in diet, such
as sudden changes of food, from poor to luxuriant pasture, allowing
animals to drink freely when the body is heated. A high surround-
ing temperature. Rapid cooling of the skin when the body is
overheated. In some animals irritation from insect bites.
Well
cared for and young animals are very liable to it.
Symptoms.—As a rule there is little or no constitutional disturb-
ance to speak of. The rash appears as elastic lumps of varying
size, sometimes being as large as walnuts, and is usually seen about
the neck, shoulders and sides of abdomen. The eruption generally
vanishes in a day or two and as suddenly as it appears. Fresh
attacks may occur from time to time.
Treatment.—Care
and attention to watering, feeding and
exercise. A dose of physic is usually sufficient to disperse the rash.
If the patient is weak, a course of iron tonics generally proves
beneficial (see Formulæ 41 and 42) ; bicarbonate of soda in ½-oz.
doses twice daily very often yields good results.
ECZEMA.
Generally speaking skin diseases do not appear to be as
frequent or as difficult to treat as is the case with other domestic
animals. This may perhaps be due to the fact that elephants are
naturally very fond of bathing and in captivity are usually well
washed and groomed daily.
Eczema though not a common ailment may occasionally be met
with.
Generalized eczema appears to be rare.
Causes.—Usually due to some irritation. It is more common
among animals subjected to treatment opposed to their natural
habits, such as keeping them tethered in the sun, want of cleanli-
ness as regards bathing, and care of gear, lice, repeated friction due
to continued pressure. Defective nutrition of the skin, general debi-
lity, digestive troubles, in fact any conditions likely to bring about
an unhealthy state of the skin may act as predisposing causes. It
is sometimes called mange ; this is incorrect. It differs from that
disease in that it does not depend on. the presence of a parasite,