LOUPING-ILL. 429 



Veterinary Surgeon Schmidt kept these animals under observation, 

 and reinoculated them from time to time with highly virulent material, 

 notwithstanding which they were still perfectly well six years after the 

 first inoculation. 



In practising this method, hoAvever, the trypanosomata used for the 

 first inoculation must not be unduly weakened. The method would have 

 appeared fully successful were it not for the fact that the protected and 

 apparently quite vigorous animals still suffered from the presence of 

 parasites in the blood. To extend its use, therefore, meant that one 

 would not suppress, but would spread the disease. The effect would 

 be to produce herds harbouring the parasite, which herds, though 

 exhibiting no signs of illness, would nevertheless in a sense be propa- 

 gating the active cause. Further observation has also shown that the 

 protection so conferred is only relative. Dogs can always be infected 

 with the blood of such animals. It has long been known in Africa that 

 antelopes and buffaloes harbour trypanosomata in their blood without 

 showing external signs of disease. 



Another method of protection must therefore be sought, such as 

 destroying the various stinging flies ; but this offers little hope of 

 success. Koch admits that he sees no method of dealing with them. 

 The other method is directed against the parasite, and here he seems 

 more hopeful. The disease can be rooted out by killing all diseased 

 animals suspected of disease. The line of procedure is indicated by the 

 experience gained in Mauritius and Java. When surra broke out in 

 Mauritius almost all the oxen died in two years. In Java the nature of 

 the disease was early recognised, and all suspected animals were at once 

 slaughtered or isolated until slaughtered ; in this way the disease was 

 soon stamjied out. 



LOUPING'ILL. 



The close analogy between the convulsive form of the disease 

 described as " trembling " (which disease is well known in France) and 

 the condition known in Britain as louping-ill lead us to give here a short 

 account of the latter condition. For a great part of what follows we are 

 indebted to articles by Meek and Greig Smith, published in the Veteri- 

 narian, Vol. T.XIX, Nos. 820 and 840. 



Nature and Symptoms of the disease. The disease known usually 

 as louping-ill or trembling has long been of annual and sometimes of 

 biennial recurrence in certain parts of Great Britain. In these places 

 sheep farmers look for the appearance about the middle of April, to its 

 continuation during May, and to its gradual disappearance early in June. 

 Lambs are most liable, but sheep are also quite susceptible to the disease, 

 and in both the symptoms are the same. The disease under consideration 



