10
" In my observations at Karnal, December 1895,I had seen two large Hissar bullocks,
the subjects of Surra complicated with severe intermittent fever and the presence of the
embryos of the ' Filaria papillosa' in the circulation. One of these bullocks, with a daily
range of temperature amounting to 10° F., had succumbed to the combined diseases, but
the other was still alive, and at this date (May 1896) has regained its health and is in good
condition."
20th April 1896.—Received copy of "Preliminary Report on the Tsetse
Fly Disease or Nagana, in Zululand," by Surgeon-Major David Bruce, A. M. S.,
dated Ubombo, Zululand, December 1895.
From the above report it appears that the fly disease " is invariably fatal in
the horse, donkey and dog, but a small percentage of cattle recover." Con-
trary to the experience of observers in India, the African disease " is character-
ized by the constant occurrence, in the blood, of an infusorial parasite, either
identical with, or closely resembling the Trypanosoma Evansi." The marked
feature in the Indian disease being the presence of paroxysms and intermissions,
during which periods the Trypanosoma is present and absent respectively.
In some few cases in horses the paroxysms in India have been observed to
last 18 to 22 days, but these have only occurred in experimental animals.
With regard to the action of arsenic, Surgeon-Major Bruce observes :—
" It appears, however, that arsenic has a specific action, causing the hæmatozoa to dis-
appear from the blood, to hinder or prevent the blood destruction and emaciation, and
modify the temperature curve. Whether this drug will completely cure the disease or not,
remains to be proved, but that it can hold it in abeyance is seen from the chart. The
horse I have had under arsenic has very fairly retained his strength, as may be proved by
the fact that he has very regularly of late carried me down to the fly country and back
every second day, when I have gone down to collect flies. This means being on the march
from 5 A.M. until 5 P.M., with a climb in the afternoon of the Ubombo, which is said to be
2,000 feet above the plain."
I have thought it necessary to record these facts somewhat fully, on account
of the premature announcement made by Surgeon-Major Bruce in his report as
to the views held by me with regard to the Tsetse fly disease, and previous to
my examination of his specimens of Surra blood.
Herewith are enclosed three appendices—
(i) Journal of journeys undertaken during 1895-96.
(ii) Précis of the recorded outbreaks of Surra during 1895-96.
I wish to draw special attention to the reports forwarded to this office by
Veterinary Captain H. T. Pease, on the prevalence of Surra in the Punjab and
North-West Provinces during the past season ; for it is only by such careful and
painstaking work that we can hope to gain further knowledge with regard to
the true nature of the prevailing diseases, and the geographical distribution of
the same, in India and Burmah.
(iii) Appendix containing a short statement of the results of physiological
and pathological observations with regard to equines, &c., in health and
disease. These researches were initiated in 1893, and have been
worked out concurrently with the treatment of animals whenever
circumstances permitted. The object in view was to elucidate the
changes which take place in the blood of animals previous to and
after contracting Surra, together with an enquiry into the ingested and
egested nitrogen and water for the purpose of explaining the rapid
waste of tissue in this disease.
To Mr. M. K. Bamber, Clinical Assistant to the Imperial Bacteriologist,
who has rendered most valuable assistance in every part of the inquiry (Appen-
dix III), my special thanks are due.