3U 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
hours these blebs burst, leaving red, raw, angry-looking surfaces which 
may heal rapidly or become ulcerated. Owing to the soreness of the 
mouth and inability to eat, loss of condition may rapidly ensue. 
When the feet are attacked they become so tender that the slightest 
movement causes the animal to limp, and the pain may be so severe 
as to necessitate his lying down. On examination, the parts above 
the nails around the margin of the hoof-slipper will be found hot, 
swollen and tender. A discharge may be apparent ; if not pressure 
on the parts may reveal some oozing. In the elephant, owing to the 
great weight to be sustained and the severe pain, fever may run high. 
The great danger is that the discharge may burrow, underrun the 
sole and thus lead to irritative fever, septicaemia (blood poisoning) 
in some form, and casting of the hoof-slipper. 
Diagnosis.— This is distinguished from elephant-pox by the seat 
and nature of the eruption. 
Treatmefit. — Careful nursing, feeding and attention to cleanli- 
ness are essential. When the mouth is very sore, allow plenty of 
good, well-boiled, freshlv-made gruel ; if the animal can take grass 
it should be cut, and care taken to see that it is clean and soft. A 
tub of fresh water should be kept near the standing. The mouth 
may be washed out three or four times daily wath some mild astrin- 
gent lotion, if very sore, e.g., alum two drachms to the pint, or Condy's 
fluid one ounce to a pint, or permanganate of potash two to four 
grains to the pint of water (see Formulae 109, iio, 113, 117, 
118, 119). 
When the feet are involved great care must be taken to see that 
they are kept clean and dry and regularly washed with some antiseptic 
astringent lotion, such as carbolic lotion (1 — 60), corrosive sublimate 
(i — 1,000), etc. (^^^ Formulae iioto 113, 115). 
The feet should then be dressed with any of the following : — Cam- 
phorated oil No. 122, carbolic oil No. 121, ointment of eucalyptus 
No. 128, or iodoform powder No. 64. Failing these, common tar 
and earth oil or kerosine oil in equal parts makes a good dressing. 
The feet should be covered with antiseptic or clean tow and 
bandaged, and over all a clean dry gunny bag should be tied or boots 
provided. Steel* notes that should a hoof-slipper be cast the case 
is not to be given up as hopeless. The horny investment of the 
foot is so simple that it can well be reproduced in the course of 
time. 
With care and watchfulness the ulcers of the feet and trunk* may 
be prevented from becoming the seat of maggots. The disease is not 
a fatal one as a rule, but if care be not taken neglected cases prove 
* " A Manual of the Diseases of the Elephant."— J. H. Steel, 1885, 
