NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
P.
R.
KRISHNA
IYER
5
failed to reproduce the disease. The same negative results were obtained
even when these organisms were inoculated sub-conjunctivally.
The possibility of any bacteria or a virus being concerned in the causa-
tion of this condition was thus eliminated. With a view to elucidate the
question of a seasonal incidence, if any, occurring in this condition which
if present may be attributed to biting flies and other insects, enquiries were
made and the following information was received.
Statement showing the entries of eye-cases in Hospital since 1928
Year.
1928 . .
1929 . .
1930 . .
1931 . .
1932 . .
1933 . .
1934 . .
TOTAL .
Jan.
...
1
...
2
2
4
5
14
Feb.
...
1
...
...
..
1
2
4
Mar.
...
...
1
...
1
7
1
10
Apr.
1
...
...
2
1
6
2
12
May
...
...
...
5
2
4
5
16
June
...
...
1
2
1
4
2
10
July
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
2
Aug.
...
1
...
1
...
2
...
4
Sept..
...
3
...
3
...
2
...
8
Octr.
...
...
3
...
...
3
...
6
Novr.
...
1
3
...
4
...
...
8
Dec.
1
3
3
1
5
4
...
17
Total
No. of
cases.
2
10
11
16
16
39
17 for 6
months.
The above tabular statement indicates that the disease is gradually
increasing. It also shows that the disease occurs at all times of the year
and as such there is no evidence of a seasonal incidence attributable to it,
though in the months of May, December and January, the number of cases
were more numerous than during the other months.
In the colts sold to the Remount Depots from these stud farms, this
eye trouble is not marked. Officers in charge of Remounts report that there
is not a heavy incidence. It was observed that district mares and foals were
never affected and that the incidence of this disease in Remount Depots in
animals sent from these stud farms was very rare. But at Coleyana many
cases occur in the young stock and the attacks terminate in blindness. The
question arises as to whether the source of infection is also removed when
the animals leave the Estate and whether the stock then make a complete
recovery.
One is, therefore, led to consider what differences there may be in the
general conditions between the Stud Farm and the Circles and it would appear
to be necessary to review them briefly.
Coleyana
Concentration of stock . . .
Free grazing in grass paddocks .
Circles
Dispersion of stock.
Grazing in most cases limited to crops such
as lucerne etc., and grass on banks of
water courses.
6
Verminous Ophthalmia in Equines
Coleyana
Grass in large quantities . .
At certain times of the year, i.e.,
July and August, very long grass
in the paddocks which contains a
large admixture of weeds.
Mares foal in the open and young
stock and mares live out in the
open throughout the year.
Stock watered from tanks. .
Circles
Very limited grass.
Probably very few weeds in grazing.
Young stock and mares stabled at night.
Stock watered from running water channels.
Concentration of stock at Coleyana.—This is particularly the case twice
a day (morning and evening) when the mares are brought to the feeding troughs
for inspection and grain feed. This probably leads to a concentration of
flies at this time. This is especially noticeable in the afternoons in the hot
weather. On the other hand, area stock are preferably grazing under trees
all day and are not brought in till after dark.
Dust.—Very dusty practically all the year round but this was not con-
sidered to be a profitable line of enquiry.
Horse flies.—The mares are heavily attacked by several species of flies
which settle between the mare's quarters.
History sheets of Hospital cases have been kept up since 1928 only,
and it appears that the incidence of eye trouble has increased markedly since
that year, but an even more marked increase has occurred between the years
1932-36.
Dietetic deficiency was suspected, but when all the details of the feeds
were submitted to experts in Edinburgh they showed nothing wanting. Grass-
es, feeds and soils on the Estate have been repeatedly examined by Dr. Lander
and the Soil Chemist at Lyallpur, but no deficiency has been brought to
light.
Judging by external appearances, the condition of the average stock in
the affected localities generally remains good even during the hot weather
and this applies equally well to mares and to young stock. The latter, how-
ever, are subject to worm infection from about the age of 6 to 28 months,
but it would appear that a resistance is set up gradually as the animals grow
older.
The only two classes of animals enjoying special treatment in the Estate
are the stallions and those of the stock that are taken up annually for the
Delhi Horse Show. There is no recorded cases of eye disease amongst the
stallions. However, the following points call for consideration. The stallions
have no free grazing and they are stabled in loose boxes. The majority of
the animals do not summer in the plains and they are watered with water
grom a well. The stallions are also carefully groomed every day and to a
freat extent they are protected from biting flies.
PLATE I
[ Ind. Jour. of Vety. Sci. & Anim. Husb., Vol. VIII, Pt. I
FIG. 1. Section of cornea showing a complete
microfilaria in the Substantia propria × 300
FIG. 2. Section of cornea showing two coiled
microfilaria in the Substantia propria.
(Note the intact stratified pavement
epithelium) × 190
FIG. 3. Note the single layer of germinal epithelium
in the cornea × 190
FIG. 4. Note the area completely denuded of
epithelium lying continuous with the
area showing a single layer × 190
P. R.
KRISHNA
IYER
7
In regard to the Delhi Show stock, they are brought up from the pad-
docks in about the month of November and are kept in loose boxes at night,
but they spend most of the day tethered in the sun. They are carefully
groomed and they have no free grazing. It is to be noted that no mares with
foals at foot or any stock under 12 months of age are taken up for the Delhi
Show.
ROUTINE FORM OF TREATMENT ADOPTED
1928. Boric fomentation, Boric acid and formaline in powder.
1929. Boric and zinc lotion, Boric and formaline as above.
1930. Boric and zinc sulphas, Atropine and cocaine solution.
1931. Boric and zinc sulphas, Atropine and cocaine and calomel.
1932. Boric and calomel powder, Atropine and cocaine solution and ad-
renaline.
1933. As above and Silver Protargol 10 grains to 1 ounce.
1934. As above and yellow oxide of mercury ointment. Mick treatment
2½ to 5 c.c. subcutaneously every alternate day.
It may be said that none of these treatments has had any permanent
result.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
On the 14th May 1935, the lachrymal glands and both eyeballs of Brood
mare Nili Chiri were sent to this Institute from the Probynabad Stud Farm.
Histological examination of the lachrymal glands revealed the presence
of chronic congestion, distinct eosinophilia, haemorrhagic foci, fibrotic changes
in the blood vessels and oedematous changes in the parenchyma. Fairly
frequent microfilariae were also seen in the stroma of the gland.
The conjunctiva and cornea showed changes associated with acute in-
flammation, eosinophilic, neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration and the
presence of variable numbers of microfilariae. On finding the first micro-
filaria in the section of the lachrymal gland, the writer was rather doubtful
as to whether these parasites were the real cause of the disease or whether
their presence was more or less accidental. But their constant presence in
all the following specimens, eosinophilia and fibroblastic changes demonstrated
conclusively that the microfilariae were the aetiological agents.
The lachrymal glands and eyeballs of two more animals, Brood mares
Nisri Jan and Amanatdarni of Probynabad Stud Farm were also examined
histologically with the same findings as those in Brood mare Nili Chiri. The
preservative fluid containing the eyeballs was examined for worms and worm
larvae with negative results. The lachrymal glands showed congestion,
distinct endarteritis of the vessels in the supporting connective tissue, intense
eosinophilia and the presence of a few sections of microfilaria. The cornea at
its junction with the sclera showed distinct eosinophilia and mononuclear
8
Verminous Ophthalmia in Equines
infiltration and fibroblastic stimulation. The capillary blood vessels were
dilated and distended with blood. A few sections of microfilaria were also
seen at this junction.
The eyeballs from Nisri Jan showed evidence of verminous ophthalmia
characterised by the presence of distinct eosinophilia and a few sections of
microfilaria. In order that this finding may be confirmed or eliminated in
cases that occur at Coleyana, it was requested that from any future case
which may become available for destruction, the entire eyeballs and lachry-
mal glands be removed and despatched to this Institute for examination and
confirmation.
The affected eyeballs from three Brood mares Viola, Kronella and Momento
belonging to the Coleyana Stud Farm were also examined with the same
histological features, eosinophilic infiltration and the presence of microfilaria
in sections as those observed in the Probynabad animals. The eyeballs from
Brood mare Momento were sent to this Institute preserved in saline solution
and this fluid yielded no microfilaria on examination ; however, a few eosino-
phile leucocytes were seen in this fluid on examination. The corneal epi-
thelium in this animal showed only one layer of epithelial cells in some places
whereas elsewhere, the epithelium was found to be completely shed. Intense
eosinophilia, mononuclear infiltration of the sclera at its junction with the
cornea, and intense vascularity of the choroid coat were the other changes
observed. A few microfilariae were also seen in the sections and they were
situated in the Substantia propria of the cornea surrounded by a zone of
eosinophiles and fibroblasts. Smears of eye-discharge from affected cases
were examined many a time for microfilaria with negative results. Samples
of tears from affected cases were submitted to chemical examination and
it was found that the mineral content of the tears was abnormally high.
The finding of filarial parasites (larvae) in the materials from Probynabad
and Coleyana Farms indicates that the condition is one of verminous ophthal-
mia. With a view to determine the incidence of microfilariae in the eye-
balls of normal horse, a few eyeballs of healthy horses were examined for
microfilariae with negative results. Treatment with Antimosan and other
antimony preparations was recommended in these cases. There were two
fresh cases in the spring of 1936 and the symptoms shown were typical of
this type of ophthalmia and they were treated quite successfully with anti-
mosan. Neither of these two cases recurred.
DISCUSSION
During the recent years many different affections in horses caused by
filarial larvae have been recorded in literature. Lichen tropicus or khoojli
is a form of cutaneous microfilariasis affecting the horses in many parts of the
world and enquiries were made as to whether any of the affected animals
had ever shown lesions of khoojli on their skin with a view to correlate these
two conditions but it was found that this latter condition has never been parti-
cularly noted in these animals.