Lesions. Congestion or inflammation of the intestines was usually noted, with petechiæ on the peritoneum, especially the omentum, and on other serosæ. The serosæ, mucosæ and other normally white tissues were of a yellowish color, more or less deep. The liver was enlarged, much softened, gorged with black blood, and sometimes of a greenish color. The spleen was more or less black, and friable sometimes coming to pieces in handling. The kidneys were always enlarged and gorged with black blood. The bladder was usually distended and showed petechiæ on its mucosa. The lungs and bronchia bore evidences of congestion, and the pericardium had become dull, rough and lusterless. The horses that had rested their heads on the ground showed meningeal congestion.
Sr. Calendrini claims to have had recoveries in some cases, followed by relapses, and states that a second relapse is usually fatal. Many features of the disease reminds one of surra—for example its relation to hot weather, its relation to buildings and enclosures with their accumulations of decomposing organic matter and swarms of flies, the decomposition of the blood, anæmia, icterus of the white tissues, petechiæ, extreme weakness, muscular atrophy, and marasmus. Calendrini’s cures followed by relapses suggest the further coincidence of intermissions. If now the trypanosoma were discovered in the blood it might be recognized as at least a near ally of surra.
Mortality. Prognosis. The disease is nearly always fatal. At the time of its first appearance (1830) Calendrini had 5,000 horses, and in 1835 he mounted his last horse a half-tamed animal lassoed on the Campo. One Haziendiero invested $25,000 in horses and in 30 days he had lost $18,000 worth. Others with 35,000 head lost the whole.
Treatment proved one continuous failure. Bleeding, purgatives, coloquintidas, saltpeter, cream of tartar, lemon, vinegar, nicotine, buchu, by mouth and rectum, strychnia, camphor, caustics, prolonged baths in the river, and a great variety of other measures, only seemed to hasten a fatal result.
Prevention. Calendrini finally struck the true note of rational prophylaxis, in the immediate killing and burial of all affected animals, and the strict separation of all sound horses from the places where they had been, together with the thorough disinfection of all harness, utensils, wagons, etc. For a number of years his district (Soure) had by this means been kept free from the plague.
This might be profitably extended so as to include the thorough disinfection of any buildings and yards where the sick had been, the removal of manure heaps and disinfection of their sites, also of all rubbish heaps as breeding places of flies, the use of petroleum on all stagnant water devoid of fishes and frogs as being the sources of mosquitoes, and the application of suppressive measures which would include the rodents (capivaras), and swine which have been shown to propagate the infection.
INFECTIOUS PARAPLEGIA IN SOLIPEDS IN EUROPE.
Definition: Infectious, non-febrile affection of solipeds with lesions of the genito-urinary mucosa and nerve centres, paresis and paralysis. History. Causes: Microbes varying; bacteria of colon group; infected urine, genital mucus, brushes, combs, rubbers, mares especially exposed; infection local or general. Lesions: Congestion, exudation, swelling, discharge from vulva, vagina, bladder, ureter, kidneys; lumbar spinal cord, brain. Symptoms: Mare, swollen open vulva, congestion and petechiæ, bloody mucus; horse, swollen sheath, pendant penis, congested papilla, discharge; paresis of hind limbs, falls, inability to get up, incontinence of urine; paresis of fore limbs, of thoracic muscles, asphyxia, fever in late stages. Recovery. Diagnosis: From hæmoglobinuria by absence of dietetic cause, the infectious progress and genital lesions. Prognosis: One-fourth to one-third die or fail to recover. Treatment: Antiseptic washes and irrigations of vagina, urethra, bladder, skin; internally oil of turpentine; slings. Prevention: Isolation, disinfection, separate attendants, litter, sponges, etc., fly nets, screens, insect powder, removal and disinfection of manure and garbage.
Definition. A contagious, non-febrile affection of solipeds, characterised by congestive and hæmorrhagic lesions of the genito-urinary mucosa, the spinal cord and its meninges, and by paraplegia or paresis of the hind limbs.
History. This was described in 1888 by Comeny, as occurring in a regiment of French cavalry. Other outbreaks have been observed in 1892 (Rancoule); in 1896 (Blin and Lambert). Earlier outbreaks have doubtless been confounded with cerebro-spinal meningitis, hæmoglobinuria or simple paraplegia, the genito-urinary symptoms having been overlooked or viewed as secondary.