474 Veterinary Medicine. 



of chickens. Those in the gullet of the fowl were seen at intervals 

 to advance the head into the larynx, throwing the bird into vio- 

 lent paroxysms of dyspnoea. All these animals became greatly 

 emaciated, the birds died in 35 to 45 days, and the rabbits from 

 the 45th to the 60th. 



The time during which a leech may remain attached to its vic- 

 tim is uncertain. Cases are recorded in which they were found 

 in the pharynx of the ox eight days after it had left the country 

 whence the leech came (Megnin), and in that of man 12 days 

 after leaving the infested land (Daulos). But we cannot be as- 

 sured that the leech was not derived on the voyage from the water 

 or food shipped with the victim. 



Treatment. From the skin, lips, mouth or eyes the leeches 

 may be picked off with the fingers or with forceps ; the firm 

 pinching of the tail usually leading the parasite to let go. When 

 in the mouth, where they are very slippery, it has been advised 

 to cover the hand with a towel to give a better hold. Another 

 resort is to clip them in two with scissors. Here, as upon the skin, 

 salt may be used freely to make them let go. For those in the 

 pharynx it is still possible in some cases to pick them off. This 

 failing, fumigations of tar may be tried, or better, a whalebone 

 staff with a small sponge on the end saturated with a strong salt 

 solution, benzine, chloroform or ether, may be introduced through 

 the nose or mouth. They may be removed from the nasal fossae 

 in the same way, or the nose may be injected by syringe, foun- 

 tain syringe or Rey's tube. 



Anaemia and debility must be treated on general principles. 



Prevention is difficult. The leeches tend to disappear under 

 drainage and cultivation. For those that live in water, filtration 

 and screening are insufiEcient as a number of the very young and 

 small usually get through. The protection of the individual 

 animal has been .sought by applying thick bandages to the legs, 

 on infested lands and water, arid by covering the nose and mouth 

 with a nosebag of cloth when taken to watering (Abou Bekr). 

 The most promising preventive measure is that of Lemichel who 

 introduced eels into the watering places of the animals and thus 

 successfully did away with the leeches. This is on the same 

 principle that the mosquito is not bred in waters abounding in 

 fish or frogs, which destroy the larvae as they appear. 



