MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 173 



In cases which develop quickly death may occur in from one to 

 three days, the average duration of fatal cases being about one week. 

 Recovery is seldom complete in less than four or five weeks. The 

 mortality is from 80 to 85 per cent. 



Treatment. — If the wound can be found, open it well and treat 

 with an antiseptic, preferably tincture of iodine. Place the animal in 

 a quiet, darkened stall. Feed gruels or very thin mashes, and keep 

 fresh water constantly within easy reach. The vessels in which 

 the food and water are given should be supported at a height of 3 or 

 4 feet from the floor — this to enable the animal to eat and drink 

 without bending the neck. 



Medicines are of little use. Give from 2 to 4 ounces potassium 

 bromide in the drinking water twice a day; or ^-ounce doses of 

 cannabis indica in one pint of warm water may be^ given as an 

 enema and repeated often enough to keep the animal quiet or drowsy. 

 Do not attempt to drench or give balls. Sliugs may be used when 

 necessary to keep the animal on its feet. 



Prevention. — The disease may be prevented by thoroughly cleans- 

 ing all wounds, expecially punctured wounds of the feet, and 

 treating them with antiseptics. 



499. Surra (fig. 56). — A tropical contagious and infectious 

 blood disease, transmitted by Jilting insects, especially flies. 



Cause. — A low form of animal life, the trypanosoma evansi (fig.' 57). 



Symptoms. — Dullness, depression, and great weakness. The tem- 

 perature rises from 104° to 106°, and remains high for four or five 

 days, after which it may return to the normal, only to shoot up 

 again in a few days. Later, soft, doughy swellings appear on the 

 sheath, belly, and limbs. There is rapid loss of flesh. The mucous, 

 membranes become pale and frequently show dark red spots (pete- 

 chiae), and there may be a watery discharge from the eyes and 

 nostrils. The temperature continues to rise and fall, the animal 

 becomes more and more emaciated, and, in acute cases, dies in 

 about two weeks. The disease is, however, usually chronic, in 

 which case the patient may live for one or two months. 



Treatment. — None. The disease is incurable. The affected ani- 

 mals should be immediately killed and their carcasses burned. 



To prevent the spread of the disease, early morning temperatures 

 of all the animals in the post or camp should be taken daily. Any 

 animal showing a rise of temperature should be isolated. His tem- 

 perature should be taken daily and a veterinarian should examine 

 his blood. The suspected animal should be protected from flies 

 either by being placed in a screened building or by being covered 

 with sacking or a net. Every effort should be made to destroy flies 



