PUERPERAL SEPTICEMIA. 
287 
the animals were said to have had no milk and would not have 
anything to do with their offspring. There was thirst, complete 
loss of appetite, considerable fever, hurried breathing, dulness, eyes 
lustreless, occasional moaning. In another case the symptoms 
started on the third day, there was suppression of milk but the 
mother was induced to take charge of the calf which was hand-fed. 
This animal suffered from severe abdominal pain, strained greatly 
and moaned frequently. No swelling, etc., was observed about the 
genital organs. The course of this disease is very rapid — two or 
three days — and recovery is exceptional. 
Treatment. — Medicinal treatment is of little use, camphor and 
turpentine have been recommended, both troublesome drugs to mask 
the smell of. Alcoholic stimulants are beneficial. If the animal 
can be induced to permit it, irrigation of the womb twice a day 
with weak antiseptic lotions warmed to body temperature are 
recommended, such as carbolic acid or phenyle one per cent. For 
this purpose the elephant should be made to lie on her side and a 
piece of rubber tubing with a funnel attached may be used, or better 
still a garden syringe with tubing attached ; the fluid should 
be injected slowly and gently ; from 2 to 2\ quarts is ample. If 
the elephant resents the operation the only thing then is to 
keep the parts clean externally by means of spraying lotion on 
them. When any symptoms of disease appear in an animal after 
calving, any pregnant animal or animals should be removed to a 
distance. Cleanliness is of vital importance ; anyone handhng a sick 
animal should be most careful to thoroughly wash and disinfect his 
hands. The standing should be kept scrupulously clean by firing 
the ground and sprinkling disinfectants on it. 
Post-mortem examination. — The peritoneum shows blood spots 
here and there, the liver and kidneys are soft, the spleen soft and 
enlarged. The blood is fluid and not coagulated. The flesh has a 
half -boiled appearance. There are usually some blood spots on the 
surface of the womb and some exudation between its layers. In the 
womb itself there is generally some dark-coloured fluid. 
