52
P.S.—Receipt of a copy of Dr. Vandyke Carter's valuable work on spirillum
fever in man, since the above report was written, has suggested a few other points of
inquiry. I have already explained to the Inspecting Veterinary Surgeon why I have,
with the exception of one correction of Dr. Carter's statements, not made more use in
this report of Dr. Carter's special researches, i.e., the internal evidences of independ-
ence in my report, which goes over a ground similar to Dr. Carter's, will render my
paper valuable for comparison on many points with the elaborate production of the
distinguished Bombay professor.
(Signed)
J. H. STEEL, Y.S.,
Army Veterinary Departmtnt.
SUMMARY OF MY DIARY OP WORK DONE AND PRECIS OF METHODS
ADOPTED IN THE INQUIRY.
16th November 1884.—Arrived at Rangoon with instructions to investigate the nature of a
fatal epizootic of an obscure nature among transport mules. Reports on the subject by
Veterinary Surgeon (First-class) R. Frost, Army Veterinary Department, and Inspecting Veteri-
nary Surgeon Shaw, Indian Veterinary Department, being placed in my hands. Of these I had
made a precis and had from them obtained much information as to the line of primary action.
An equipment of medicines, instruments, appliances, &c., supplied on emergent indent from the
Madras Medical Stores including Reagents for preservation of specimens, microscope (a very
inferior instrument, having, only 1-inch, 1/2-inch, and 1/4-inch powers, and of which I made little
use), urinometer, clinical thermometer, post-mortem appliances, &c.
17th November 1884.—After official visits to the Executive Transport Officer, Veterinary
Surgeon (First-class) Frost (who was away in the districts), and reporting arrival in writing,
examined all animals under treatment and commenced careful clinical study of the disease.
This I repeated morning and evening daily until my departure for Tonghoo on 20th December.
The routine consisted in taking the temperature, three minutes per mule (four in severe cases ;
observation repeated in every case of doubt); pulse felt; respirations, condition of membranes,
ejecta, &c., noted. Admission and diagnosis of fresh cases. Urine analyses of all specimens
obtainable continued systematically at first, but subsequently only in special cases. The follow-
ing are Specimens oj the Clinical Records in the form adopted:—
Morning of 28th, November, Friday. Stable Temperature 64° F. at 8 a.m.
Case.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Tempera-
ture.
104.4°
104.2°
100.6°
104.6°
103.8°
99.8°
99.2°
102.4°
102.°
101 9°
Respiration.
Pulse.
12, much dis-
turbed.
18
16, belly very
full.
14
12
8
12
10, belly full.
18
32
54, very weak.
78, very small.
42
76
72
42
54, very weak.
..
..
Remarks.
Blood extravasation in left nostril; mucous membrane of eye good
color, a few spots ; ulseration of mucous membrane of mouth
and tongue ; a foul smell from mouth.
......
Membranes pale.
Membranes yellowish; of eye slightly spotted.
Urine scanty.
Spots in left eye.
Conjunctiva very nasty looking, spotted; degenerating epithelium
in nostril; eruption on the upper lip, very dull; hanging head ;
fell several times.
* Thermometer not inserted deep, due to resistance.
Evacuations, where not otherwise recorded, normal. Urine collected under supervision in
country jelly-pots and examined as to the following points :—
Urine of 29th November.
Case.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8*
9
10
Temperature.
75°F
74°F
74°F
74°F
75°F
None obtained,
75°F
80°F
75°F
75°F
Specific
gravity.
1,020
1,020
1,010
1,013
1,034
1,040
1,020
1,030
1,030
Color, &c.
Viscid, yellow, clear
Viscid, light yellow, clear ..
Pale yellow, watery, clear.
Pale brownish dirty yellow,
some sediment
Thick, yellow
Clear, yellow
Thick strong-smelling dirty-
looking brownish yellow ..
Viscid, yellow, slight sediment
Viscid, clear, bright yellow..
Reaction.
Very slightly acid ..
Acid.
Acid
..
..
Acid
Acid
....
Neutral
..
..
Strongly alkaline
Slightly acid
Acid
After standing one night.
No sediment.
Do.
Very pale.
A slight mucous sediment.
Milky.
Upper stratum reddish.
Copious sediment.
No sediment.
No sediment.
* I found on investigation that this urine was not quite fresh.