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The question which then presented itself for solution was whether the Trypanosoma is
ever to be found in stagnant or other waters, in the body fluids of flies, ticks or fish (i) during
the hot season of the years, when no cases of Surra exist. (ii) during the early part of
the rains before the disease has manifested itself in animals ? Since 1891, I have diligently
searched during each season of the year to discover whether the Trypanosoma is present
under any of the above conditions. One point has been settled, viz., that the organisms in
the blood of certain fish are present in greatest numbers, during May and June, the hottest
months of the year, but decrease or absent themselves after the rains have fairly set in.
Since the transference of the Laboratory from the Deccan to Muktesar within easy
reach of the North-Western Provinces and Punjab, the home of Surra, where each
year opportunities are forthcoming for studying the etiology of the disease, I deter-
mined to thoroughly investigate this question. In order to elucidate the above problem it
would be necessary to visit the localities known to be Surra centres—during the hot season,
but just before the rains usually commence—at the end of May and beginning of June—and
a second time about the end of August or beginning of September -the middle of the rains—
and on each occasion to systematically make a very large number of microscopical observ-
ations of the different fluids to be examined. With this end in view, I proceeded at the end
of May to the following localities, where outbreaks of Surra were known to have existed in
in 1894 and 1895, and had probably been enzootic for many years previous to being diagnosed,
viz.:—
Saharanpur Gov-
ernment Depôt.
Saharanpur, North Western Provinces ; Mohand Pass, North-Western Provinces ; and
Karnal, Punjab ; and Kathgodam, Kumaun.
The following are the results of my hot season observations :—
Microscopical examination of the water, mud, fresh water shell fish, and flies obtained
from the following localities, failed to reveal the presence of any form of Trypa¬
nosoma.
Samples of Water submitted to examination—
(i) Modipore pond to the right of the brick-yard ; water replenished after April
1896.
(ii) Modipore pond to the left of the brick-yard, contains water from the rains of
1895.
(iii) Large pond in paddock near the Dep6t residencies.
(iv) Clay from centre of pond to the left of road to the south-east of the Depôt Estate.
(v) Clay from centre of pond to the right of road to the south-east of Depôt Estate.
Flies.—Numerous specimens of the thoracic and abdominal fluids of the following species
of flies were submitted to microscopical examination, but with negative results :—
(i) Large green-headed fly (Tabanus lineola).
(ii) Large brown-headed fly (Tabanus ?).
(iii) Horse and cattle fly (Hippobosca).
(iv) Fly infesting dogs, small variety (Hippobosca).
(v) Local varieties of the Muscidæ.
(vi) Musquitoes
(Culicidæ).
Mohand Pass.
Water.–Samples for examination were obtained from all possible sources. The Mohand
River was almost dry, the Dâk horses being watered at holes in the river bed which had
been excavated for the purpose of collection.
Fish.—A few small fish were obtained from water holes and their blood submitted to
examination.
Flies.—Numerous species were netted and examined.
Fresh specimens and samples of the above were obtained during four days, but in no
instance was the Trypanosoma discovered.
Karnal, Punjab.
Water —Samples of water obtained from the following sources were submitted to micro-
scopical examination :—
(i) Dâk Bungalow.—Closed well in the compound. Water milky, with an odour
of sulphuretted hydrogen.
(ii) Western Jumna Canal.—Water muddy, no flagellated protozoa.
(iii) Several stagnant ditches.—Numerous forms of organic life. No. flag-
ellated protozoa.
Water obtained from within Depôt Estate.
(iv) Pond near Canal Bridge.—Water has been let into this pond lately from
Rajbaha. No flagellated protozoa. Numerous specimens of the mud taken
from the bottom of the pond were also examined for the Trypanosoma, but
with negative results.
(v) Swamps to the left of the Railway crossing, near Bullock Hospital.
(vi) Ditch near main road leading to Canal Bridge.
(vii) The swamp in No. II Paddock.
(viii) Well in No. II Paddock.—Water fairly clear. No sediment. Few infu-
soria.
(ix) The swamp in No. V Paddock.–Very rich in low organic life, but no
flagellated protozoa. A species of 'acarus' was found in this water.
(x) The swamp in No. III Paddock.—Evidently the swamp has been dry for some-
time and the water examined is part of the rain which fell on June 5th.
No flagellated organisms.
(xi) Well in No. VII Paddock.—Water fairly clear. Slight sediment. Few infusoria.