141
volume, but seldom equal the size of a walnut; they have the characteristics of
a "cold" abscess, and are not hot nor abnormally painful. They rarely, if ever,
give rise to inconvenience, nor does the health seem to be in any way interfered
with. The top of these little tumours are pierced by an opening which is at first
but little apparent, but as the larvæ are about to escape, the openings are much
larger and are plainly visible. From this opening pus flows, which dries and
agglutinates the adjacent hairs; this comes from a subcutaneous abscess in which
the larva is lodged. The opening results from a process of ulceration. The larva
almost exactly fills the sac, the shape of which is reproduced externally. The
parasite is so placed in it as to present to the opening its oval-anal extremity,
while the cephalic end is turned towards the bottom. It is nourished not only
by the pus which it has caused the production of, but also by the blood of its
host, as an abundance of that fluid may be found in its digestive apparatus.
627. When the development of the tumours is somewhat advanced,
methodical pressure at the base will readily cause the expulsion of the
larva. A few days before leaving its abode, the creature enlarges the hole in the
tumour by pushing at intervals the last segments of its body into it, until,
finally, it emerges in a state of complete maturity. The larvæ which do not
perish by being trodden on or eaten by birds creep along by means of the
hooklets on their bodies until they find a convenient place for their transform-
ation into nymphæ; they then penetrate the ground to a depth of two or three
inches or conceal themselves under grass or rotten leaves.
628. After the larvæ has left the cyst, the formation of pus gradually
ceases and the wound cicatrizes. Nevertheless, when the hide comes to be
tanned, there is a small hole in every place where there has been a warble, and
this greatly diminishes the value of the hide for many purposes. It is difficult
to estimate the loss by damage to hides in this country, but there can be little
doubt that it represents a very large figure. In England, it is estimated that
the loss averages one penny per pound weight or nearly six shillings a hide. It
is said that of the hides exported from Karachi, an average of one-fourth of
them is damaged to the extent of about 70 per cent. of their value, while
those from Calcutta, Madras and Bombay are depreciated to the extent of 50
per cent. on 10 per cent. of the skins.
629. As has above been stated, the Officers of this Department were
addressed on this subject, and from the answers received the following inform-
ation has been extracted:—
630. Bombay.—The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
states:—
"I have visited a number of tanneries in the various districts, and in all cases the tanners deny the exist-
ence of any disease resembling the one in question. I myself have never seen any skin affected. I have
however, elicited the fact that in a great number of hides, which are those of old draught animals, numerous holes
have been found in the skin, but these holes are generally in the region of the croup and rarely extend as far as
the shoulders; but they are said to be due to the injuries inflicted by the goad in driving, as can be seen by the
irregular shape of the hole, and the fact that they have almost invariably been in the croup. The natives here
call the disease 'Mara' which is similar to 'Moora', and is said to be caused by jowari. It is, however, by
eating the young shoots—which induces hoven—that death ensues. "
631. Bengal.—No information has been afforded.
632. Madras.—No information has been afforded.
633. North Western Provinces and Oudh.—The Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, gives a number of names by which the fly is known
in different localities, as follows:—Dans, Bhaunri, Bara Makhi, Kali or Nili
Makhi, Gilgila, Andhi Makhi, Baggi, Siyahi-ki-Makhi. There seems to be
considerable confusion here, and there can be little doubt that the common
"blue bottle" (Lucilia Oœsar,) is indicated, hence we have the Nili-Makhi,
a very different looking insect from the Gad fly.
634 The general treatment said to be adopted in these Provinces is:—
(i) Removal of the larvæ by applying pressure to the swellings from
base to summit.
(ii) Application of kerosine oil which is allowed to remain for two or
three days, and then removed by washing.
(iii) Application of Whey and Bach.
(iv) Application of Nim poultices.