SOUTH AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS 53 



from the penis of the male or the vulva of the female, after which small 

 red spots appear on the glans or vulva, and on these arise vesicles or 

 blisters, which break, leaving a small spreading sore or ulcer. As the 

 disease progresses the enlargement spreads from the penis to the sheath, 

 and maybe to the scrotum and testicles. In those instances where the 

 disease' first attacks the urethral canal a muco-purulent discharge issues 

 from the end of the penis, and urine is discharged with some difficulty. 



A similar eruption appears on the vaginal mucous membrane of the 

 mare, associated with more or less considerable swelling of the labia, and 

 an ichorous discharge. If the eruption is severe the irritation may extend 

 to the mammary gland and induce the formation of abscesses upon or in it. 



Both stallions and mares exhibit marked sexual excitement in the 

 course of the early stages of the disease, the former by frequent erections 

 of the penis, and the latter by exhibiting signs of oestrum. The local 

 manifestations may subside, or altogether disappear, after a time varying 

 from several weeks to months, but this is not to be taken as an indication 

 of the termination of the disease, for it is at this time that the general 

 health begins to give way to the ravages of the virus. There is now dul- 

 ness and progressive weakness, shown by shifting the weight first from 

 one leg and then the other. An eruption of the character of urticaria, 

 but usually more enduring, appears about the neck, or the chest and 

 shoulders, or the croup, or on all of these parts in succession, disappearing 

 on the one as it arises on the others. The chief features of the later 

 stages of the disease are progressive paralysis and wasting of the body. 



The animal knuckles over at the joints, crosses his legs in walking, trips, 

 or trails one or both hind-limbs, and ultimately loses all power behind. 



Facial paralysis is sometimes present, when the eyelids droop and the 

 lips hang pendulous and immovable. Finally, emaciation becomes extreme, 

 and death results from blood-poisoning and exhaustion at the expiration 

 of various periods from one to two years. 



Death results in 70 to 80 per cent of eases, and having regard to 

 the chronic lingering nature of the malady, and the decrepit useless state 

 to which an animal is reduced by the disease, there can be no real ad- 

 vantage in attempting a cure. To destroy the animal at the outset is 

 the most rational procedure. 



SOUTH AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS 



Definition. — A contagious disease, the precise cause of which has not 

 yet been determined. It is essentially a disorder of the equine species. 

 It occurs in relatively low-lying districts along the eastern coast of South 



