234 TBINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. XIX. 4, 



pen where the mules were kept. Animals as a rule feed well and their 

 condition is satisfactory. The temperature of affected animals is normal. 

 At times however, the toxic product of the bacteria becomes absorbed 

 into the blood stream in which case Suppurative Nephritis is set up, the 

 animals become fevered, lose flesh considerably and eventually die. 



TREATMENT. 



A. — Preventative : There is fortunately, not much risk of the disease 

 being propagated under conditions of peace as it was with serious 

 consequences, among army horses and mules in the war. The disease 

 is only very slightly contagious in well kept stables. When isolated 

 cases of the disease occur the patients should be separated from other 

 animals and the stables, harness and instruments used for dressing 

 them should be disinfected. Animals with wounds about limbs, 

 especially around the heel or fetlock, should not be worked in muddy 

 fields or grazed on swampy pastures. 



B. — Curative : Absolute rest constitutes the best form of treatment 

 of Ulcerative Lymphangitis — rest should be as complete as possible. 

 The ulcers should be treated by douching with weak antiseptic (21 per 

 cent, carbolic acid) every three days and then applying a slightly irritant 

 or caustic agent such as tincture of iodine or the following preparation : — 

 rape oil 75 parts, ether 25 parts, creosote 5 parts, iodoform 10 parts. 

 The patients should be suitably fed and maintained under perfect 

 hygienic conditions, in disinfected, commodious and well ventilated 

 stables. This treatment is the one recommended by the Alfort 

 Veterinary School. In certain cases however, the most heroic 

 treatment fails. 



The disease is only very slightly contagious under ordinary 

 conditions, because it has been proved that healthy animals when kept 

 in stables previously occupied by animals suffering from Ulcerative 

 Lymphangitis and with the same litter could not become affected. It 

 therefore follows that there is little danger of direct contagion. For 

 these reasons there is no necessity for the disease to be included in 

 Ordinance No. 21 of 1918 (Contagious Disease of Animals). 



Maceration of the legs m mud doubtless plays a pre-disposing role by 

 favouring the penetration of the bacilli as already pointed out. 



