DOURINE OR MALADIE DU COIT 



MALADIE DU COIT OR DOURINE 



By Chas. H. Higgins, B.S., D.V.S., 



Pathologist, Health of Animals Branch, Department of Agriculture. 



Ottawa, November 15, 1907. 



While I was familiar with the literature of maladie du coit or dourine prior to 

 the reported outbreak in Southern Alberta, it was only natural that the occurrence of 

 the disease in Canada interested me in its clinical and pathological features to a far 

 greater extent than would have otherwise been the case had this disease not appeard 

 within Canadian territory. 



Although the disease was reported early in 1904, it was not until the spring of 

 1905 (May), that I had an opportunity of observing cases of the affection at an 

 inspection made by the Veterinary Director General, during which I was present. 

 While I was prepared to do my utmost, in an endeavour to demonstrate the causative 

 parasite of this affection, I embraced the opportunity of familiarizing myself with the 

 pathological changes to be noted at the autopsies. Further, I endeavoured to assist 

 the careful study of the clinical manifestations then made in an attempt to more 

 accurately diagnose suspected cases coming to the notice of officers of the Department. 



At this inspection it was deemed advisable to destroy many of the animals which 

 presented marked clinical evidence of the disease, twenty selected cases, however, were 

 reserved for further experimental observation. There were destroyed at this time, one 

 hundred head, including the stallion ' Brucefield Prince,' and the autopsy lesions in 

 every instance confirmed the ante-mortem diagnosis. 



During the same month some cases of the disease were seen in the Porcupine 

 Hills and Medicine Hat districts, a number of which were destroyed. 



While it was impossible to examine material taken from each individual case 

 coming under our observation at that time, particular attention was given , to pre- 

 parations taken from cases of the disease, which, in the judgment of all present, were 

 the most likely to give favourable results, and these smears of the body fluids and 

 tissues revealed no bodies simulating trjqDanosomata when carefully and systematically 

 examined. Specimens were also brought to the biological laboratory, but their 

 examination for trypanosomata proved fruitless. 



In September, 1905, Dr. S. Hawden was transferred from Nelson, B.C., and 

 placed in charge of the experimental station at Lethbridge, where his work, both 

 clinical and experimental has given us many details connected with the disease, not 

 previously recorded. 



In November, 1905, three mares, two from those reserved at the spring inspection 

 (588 and 589) and one (590)* obtained in the Medicine Hat district, were received at 

 the biological laboratoiy, Ottawa, for the purposes of experimental observation, breed- 

 ing experiments, and to supply us with the necessary material for animal inoculations, 

 in the attempt to recover the causative parasite. One of these mares (590) died 

 shortly after arrival, she having manifested during the short period of observation, 

 marked inco-ordination in the movements of both the fore and hind limbs. As a 

 result of this partial paralysis, she fell in turning, never again to regain her feet, 



* These numbers refer to the accession numbers given at the laboratory, and not to 

 cases of dourine. 



