TYMPANITES. 
279 
heart could not be counted owing to the muscular spasms. Respi- 
rations 36, laboured, the muscles of the chest being mainly employed 
in the act. At times the animal groaned as if in pain. The abdo- 
men was immensely distended and any pressure in that region caused 
the animal to groan. The usual rumbling peristaltic motion of the 
bowels was not heard. Examination per rectum showed that it 
contained yellowish brown liquid faeces. Higher up the hand 
encountered firm masses which appeared to be impacted. 
" Treatment. — Enemas, massage of abdominal wall. One litre 
of Camomile tea, well sugared, and half a litre of brandy was admi- 
nistered. This soon produced a beneficial effect. Convalescence 
was protracted. Three weeks after first attack, he had a bad relapse. 
The animal could not rise, his breathing was difficult (stertorous) 
and the heart action weak. Jacob injected 30 c.c.m. (about 8 
drachms) of spirits of camphor into the cardiac region of the mori- 
bund animal and examined, under the microscope, blood taken from 
the ear. He found a very large increase in the leucocytes (white 
blood cells), i to 67 red corpuscles. 
The animal died the same day of dyspnoea (suffocation). 
Post-mortem examination. — -Chronic lymphatic leukaemia, 
oedema of the lungs and degeneration of the heart muscle. In the 
stomach were several Gastrophilus Bots, and in the intestines a very 
large number of amphistomes and nematodes. The animal was also 
suffering from Distomatosis (flukes). The illness of the animal is 
interesting in that the owner of the elephant sold the animal as 
sound shortly before the illness and was sued. Dr. Jacob as a 
result of his examination gave it as his opinion that the elephant had 
been suffering from lymphatic leukaemia which is sure to end fatally. 
That the parasitic invasion [Gastrophilus and Distomatosis) had 
taken place before the purchase of the animal and that his capability 
to undergo training was thus undermined. 
After the law case had run on for three years they called in 
the Court of First Instance and the seller's claim was dismissed with 
costs.'' 
