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A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
and is non-contagious. Several animals may, however, be attacked 
at the same time, but the reason for this is, that generally speaking 
those that suffer have been partaking of the same kind of food and 
in other matters subjected to similar treatment. The disease may 
attack animals in good condition, but is more common and severe in 
those that are aged or debilitated. The malady is met with most 
frequently during the hot weather and is liable to recur. 
Symptoms. — Irritation of the skin, manifested by a desire on 
the part of the animal to rub the body against posts, trees ; the skin 
on examination will be found to be hot and tender. This is followed 
by crops of blisters or vesicles ; in the milder cases observed 
about neck, shoulders and quarters, but in those that are more 
severe, may also be seen on the head, ears, neck, sides of belly, 
between thighs and on tail. These vesicles burst the discharge 
drying on the surface. Successive crops of blisters may appear. 
In some severe cases the eruption was restricted to the face, sides 
of chest, the back of ears (in two cases back and front). The ears 
were especially affected. 
Simple eczematous inflammation may pass through several stages, 
viz. : — 
(a) Redness of the skin. 
(3) Papular stage, where small nodules are observed. 
(c) Vesicular stage, where these nodules are filled with fluid 
(serum). 
(d) Weeping or moist stage, due to the opening of the- vesicles 
themselves or artificially by rubbing. 
(e) Pustular stage, where the fluid is transformed to pus. 
(/) The scaly stage, which is the drying up of the discharged 
matter either in the pustules or over the suppurating 
surface. 
It must not be inferred that every case passes through these 
regular stages ; some may pass from the first to the last, while in 
others some of the stages may easily be overlooked owing to the 
pigmentation of the skin. In severe cases where the face is affected 
there may be a watery discharge from the eyes, which later 
becomes whitish and in some few cases the cornese may become 
clouded. 
Treatment : General. — Attention to proper management. The 
first thing to do is to secure the animal on a dry standing free from 
sand and dust, otherwise he will rub himself on trees, posts, etc., 
causing great raw patches and throw dust on them. The ears are 
most difficult to deal with owing to the constant flapping. The 
animal should be shelter'ed from sun and rain, the standing dis- 
infected to keep flies away. The bowels should be kept regular 
