GENERAL INDICATIONS OF ILL-HEALTH. 
167 
in a disinfecting solution after use, to obviate the risk of infecting 
sound animals. Nowadays the centigrade thermometer is coming 
into general use. 
[To convert Fahrenheit into Centigrade, subtract 32, multiply by 5, and divide 
by 9 ; and to convert Centigrade into Fahrenheit, multiply by 9 and divide by 5 
and add 32,] 
Should no thermometer be at hand, there are other indications 
which after long practice may lead one to a correct conclusion as to 
the presence of fever ; these are — (a) shivering or chill often passed 
unnoticed is frequently a precursor of fever ; {d) uneven surface 
temperature of the body, i.e., either the trunk, ears or extremities 
may be cold whilst the body is hot, or may be alternately hot and 
cold, and the skm of the trunk contracted and shrivelled ; (c) loss of 
appetite ; {d) dryness of mouth and evident thirst ; (e) constipation ; 
(/) scanty and deep-coloured muddy urine ; (g) unusual redness of 
the membranes of the mouth and palate ; (k) watery and red- 
dened eyes ; (2') acceleration of the pulse, which normally beats from 
46 to 50 per minute ; (k) change of colour of skin which becomes 
lighter, any white spots about trunk becoming paler ; (/) general 
depression. 
Treatment. — It has been already pointed out that fever is a 
symptom and not a disease, and this being borne in mind, the first 
indication in regard to treatment is to ascertain if possible its cause, 
and when this is found to remove it. Until the cause has been 
discovered, one's energies must be directed towards reducing the 
temperature to normal limits, and this may be effected in the follow- 
ing ways : First as a matter of routine, a brisk purgative should be 
given and the bowels must be kept open throughout the attack, i.e., 
there should be some action of the bowels daily {^see Formulae 23 
It must however be understood that after a strong purgative 
reaction frequently occurs, during which no dung is passed for 
several hours ; should this extend over a day or two, a repeti- 
tion of the dose may be given, but in a much milder form or 
better still enemas may be employed to bring about action of the 
bowels. 
In addition to the instructions laid down for general treatment 
of sick elephants, the following prescriptions may be tried : — 
to 38). 
Nitrate of Potash 
Chlorate of Potash 
Rum 
Tamarind or jaggery 
6 ozs. 
A sufficiency. 
Made into a bolus or given in water twice a day. 
