492 INFECTIOUS DISEASES DUE TO PROTOZOA 



Symptoms. — The period of incubation is about fourteen 

 days, after which there develops a remittent fever with 

 great heart weakness, rapid pulse, icteric discoloration of 

 the mucous membranes, hemorrhage from the conjunctiva, 

 great mental depression, dyspnea, constipation followed by 

 diarrhea, emaciation, polyuria and yellow discoloration of 

 the urine. Microscopically the protozoa are found in the 

 red blood corpuscles. The course of the disease is very 

 varied. In acute cases death may result in two to five days. 

 In chronic cases the course is two to four weeks or it may 

 extend over many months. 



Diagnosis. — ^From horse-sickness piroplasmosis of horses 

 is usually distinguished by the presence of icterus and the 

 absence of edematous swellings. A positive diagnosis can 

 only be made by finding the piroplasma in the red blood 

 corpuscles. 



Treatment. — No successful medicinal treatment has been 

 found. As a prophylactic measure, keeping the animals 

 off infested pastures during the hot months is recommended. 

 The importation of solipeds should be made only during the 

 cold season and confined to adult animals. Protective 

 inoculation with 1 c.c. of infected colt blood seems to be 

 successful. 



Piroplasmosis of Sheep. — Definition. — ^This is an infectious, 

 blood disease of sheep occurring mostly in the bottom lands 

 along the Danube River in Rumania. Low, swampy pastures 

 are also infectious. Following floods the disease is observed 

 to a marked extent. 



Etiology. — ^The cause is the Piroplasma ovis which very 

 closely resembles the Piroplasma bigeminum. The disease 

 is spread by the tick Rhipicephalus bursa. The period of 

 incubation is eight to ten days. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are those of fever, languor, 

 anemia, icterus, hemoglobinuria, hematuria and bloody 

 diarrhea. Death usually results in two to five days. Occa- 

 sionally the disease assumes a milder form and manifests 

 itself by symptoms of bowel catarrh, fever and anemia. One 

 attack produces immunity. Transmission by blood can be 

 made. The mortality is 50 to 60 per cent, of the adult sheep, 



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