Surra : Rot. 593 



Stall enzootics in cattle do not seem to affect horses casually. 

 The disease is easily conveyed to rabbits, house rats and mice, 

 dogs, cats and apes. Goats and ducks appeared to be immune 

 (Penning). 



TREATMENT OF SURRA. 



In well established cases in the horse, ass or mule no treatment 

 has succeeded in saving the patient. Almost every germicide 

 has been called into requisition but without good effect. Among 

 these may be named : mercuric chloride subcutem, iodine and 

 potassium iodide intratracheally, iodoform subcutem and intra- 

 venously, oleum terebinthinse subcutem and intravenously, po- 

 tassae bichromas by veins and stomach, cinchona alkaloids and 

 arsenic, phenic acid and iodine, quinine, hydrargyri biniodidum, 

 santonin, potash. The claims of different agents, notably arsenic 

 and phenic acid, have been supported by the manifest improve- 

 ment of condition under their use and the disappearance of the 

 trypanosoma, but both these conditions may often appear during 

 intermissions, without medication. The usual outcome is that 

 the animal dies and the only claim that can be made is a slight 

 extension of life. This is favored by dry, clean, airy stables, 

 change of water, rich grain and succulent food (oats, rice, lin- 

 seed, barley, gram sorghum, bran, middlings, salt, etc.), with 

 iron, arsenic, and other tonics, yet the best that can be said for 

 them is that they have deferred somewhat the inevitable death. 



Prevention of Surra. The first consideration is to avoid placing 

 equines and especially horses and mules, or camels in the infect- 

 ing localities in the rainy season and just after it. Oxen and 

 buffaloes can be used in such places with greater impunity. If 

 they must be used in such localities, place the stables or pickets 

 in dry locations well apart from marshes, and stagnant water. 

 Keep the stables dark during the surra season, open to light on 

 one side only and with screens in the windows. Make a deep pit 

 for the manure, keep it well darkened and screened and turn every 

 particle of manure into this several times a day so that the stable 

 shall be perfectly clean. All rubbish heaps should be similarly 

 dealt with. The flies breed in the manure and decaying organic 

 matter. After each sweeping of the stable sprinkle the manure 

 in the pit with some disinfectant, phenic acid, tar water, 



33 



