CAMELS WITH SOUTH AFGHAN EXPEDITION, 1878-9. 713 
ance ; neither, so far as my observation goes, is much in¬ 
formation to be derived from auscultation (listening to the 
respiratory sounds by the application of the ear to the chest), 
still less by percussion (or tapping the parietes of the chest). 
These three latter statements are most irregular facts, diffi¬ 
cult to theorise upon, but probably the pneumogastric nerve 
again offers a solution of the mystery. It is said that 
this nerve originates at a greater distance from the brain 
than in shorter-necked animals, consequently, being less in¬ 
timately connected with the nervous centre, the sympathy of 
the lungs with general nervous disturbance may be 
diminished. The symptoms of dysentery are debility, 
accompanied by slimy evacuations from the bowels, 
of a very fetid odour ; the patient is restless, lying down and 
getting up frequently; urine scanty and high coloured; 
after a time blood is mixed with the slime ; the appetite is 
lost, and emaciation ensues. When blood is mixed with 
the evacuations the term “ penchees” is applied. 
Treatment of diseases. —At the advent of either of the 
above diseases rest and protection from cold are especially 
necessary, and the following are taken, from a publication on 
the diseases of camels, as appropriate medicines. In 
“ pneumonia ”— 
Henbane (Hyoscyamus) tolas 6 
Dhatura seed . . . 1 
Turmeric . . . „ 24 
Mustard seed . . . „ 24 
Make into eighteen balls, and give one two or three times 
daily. 
The appetite may be tempted by offering a variety of food 
frequently, and plain gram is often particularly relished. 
In “ dysentery ” a quart of castor oil ought to be given, 
and repeated once or oftener, according to the appearance of 
the evacuations, continuing it when these are slimy. If the 
purging is not checked take— 
Opium .... tola 1 
Hemp resin (Bang) . „ 4 
Turmeric . . . . „ 24 
Divide into eight doses and give one every eight hours, until 
the purging diminishes. I cannot myself speak from experience 
of the efficacy of these medicines, but should think the pre¬ 
scription for dysentery the most promising; possibly alum, 
four to eight tolas twice daily, might be of service. 
Methods of obviating diseases. —Foremost amongst these 
