12
136. The important subject of surra has been further studied, (1) with
a view to devising methods of prophylaxis, and (2) to find an effective treat-
ment. In regard to (1), the advice given by Mr. Leese is of a practical nature,
founded on the accepted fact that the disease is carried from sick to healthy
by the bites of flies. The broad principles involved are the weeding out of
surra infected camels and the avoidance of surra zones. The provision of
surra free grazing for Silladar Camel Corps is a most important measure
and the remarks made by Mr. Leese on this subject deserve very serious
consideration, if surra is to be diminished in the Corps.
137. Mr. Leese truly says in regard to prophylaxis, that no excuse need
be made for repeating a good deal of what has been said on the subject in
previous reports. The most important requirement for prophylaxis is surra
free grazing in the monsoon season for Corps Camels, having secured that
the mortality would be less and the demand for remounts also. The next
requirement is surra free grazing for camel breeding.
138. The summary of the condition of the various cadres in regard to
their infection with surra is valuable as an indication of the efficiency of the
measures recommended to prevent mortality. It shows that weeding out of
surra cases does very greatly reduce the prevalence of the disease in future
years. It is a pity therefore that more attention is not in some cases given to
the routine examination of camels for this purpose.
139. It has been suggested that working isolation of camels might be
practicable in the Punjab, but this is shown to be unworkable owing to lack of
space and danger to healthy animals. July, August and September 1909
were spent touring in the grazing grounds with the primary object of defi-
nitely ascertaining which were surra free. The mapping out of the surra
and surra free zones must necessarily be very slow, as in only three months in
the year is this kind of work possible and they are unfortunately the most
difficult to travel in. The work involves great exposure in very unhealthy
country owing to the fact that it must be carried out during and after the
rainy season and in country covered with jungle and reeking with malaria.
The good progress which has been made in the work, therefore, is very credit-
able indeed.
140. In regard to the experimental treatment of surra, considering that
no accommodation has been provided for the experimental animals, the pro-
gress made is extraordinarily good. Mr. Leese has submitted two reports
(which are being separately published) on the subject, giving details of the
experiments made with (1) Tartar emetic alone, (2) Tartar emetic and Atoxyl
alternately, (3) Tartar emetic alone followed by a short course of mercuric
bichloride alone, (4) Orpiment, (5) Antimony sulphide by the mouth, (6)
Soamin, (7) White arsenic, (8) Arsenic in powder, (9) Arsenic in solution in
various forms as (a) Solution of sodium arsenate, (b) Liquor arsenicalis, (c)
Donovans solution, (d) Solution of arsenious iodide, (e) Solution of sodium
arsenite. (10) Methylene blue and mercuric bichloride, (11) Soamin and
sodium arsenate, (12) Soamin and antimony tartarate, (13) Atoxyl, soamin
and sodium arsenate, (14) Atoxyl, antimony and sodium arsenate. Contrary
to what has been found to be the case in the horse, no successful treatment
has been yet obtained, but the results of some combinations are somewhat
encouraging. It is interesting as well as discouraging to note that camel
surra offers a separate problem for solution. The experiments are being
continued.
141. The remarks made by Mr. Leese regarding compensation for
slaughter of surra camels are worthy of attention. He points out that no
loss is involved in the slaughter of a surra camel which is too weak to use
under a load or is suffering from coincident unsoundness such as chronic
blindness or lameness and that compensation should only be given for the
slaughter of a camel in the public interest when it is still capable of ordinary
work. With this I agree.
142. Various contagious and other diseases of the camel have also been
studied as opportunity occurred, but lack of accommodation proved a serious
drawback. It is interesting to find that little evidence now remains to show