56                 Treatment of Equine Surra in Assam

the preliminary experiments an intravenous injection of 100 c.c. of 2 per cent
solution of Naganol was given followed by another dose of 150 c.c. (2 per
cent) on the sixth day. Inconvenience was, however, experienced by the
use of a large volume of the solution for the purpose of injection. With that
end in view, it was reduced to 50 c.c. without affecting the required quantity
of Naganol.

In the early stages of the experiment all the cases treated were under
observation up to a year. Some of the ponies treated in 1935 are healthy
and working up to the moment of writing the paper. Out of 309 equines
treated and observed so far (vide Table II) relapse of the disease was found
in two ponies, four months after the treatment. It could not be definitely
ascertained whether it was a relapse or a reinfection. Even considering
them as cases of relapse the percentage would appear to be practically negli-
gible. In a few cases urticarial eruptions, mild laminitis and sometimes
cracking of the anus were recorded. But there had been no serious untoward
effect and always satisfactory progress was noticed in the course of four or
five days.

The present routine method of treatment consists of two injections as
noted below:

The treated cases are kept under close observation for three months follow-
ing the last injection of Naganol and periodic microscopical examination of
blood is carried out for detection of relapse, if any. On the whole, the results
of the treatment have been most satisfactory. The opinion relating to the
encouraging result of this treatment was expressed in the Annual Report
for the year 1935-36 by the Director, Veterinary Department, Assam, to the
effect that ' another signal success which the Department claims this year
is a simple six days ' short course treatment of equine surra which proved
almost 100 per cent a success as opposed to a complicated five weeks' course
treatment of distinctly lesser efficacy hitherto followed'. Subsequent ex-
periences have amply justified the claim. Some of the recent equine cases
treated have been under the close observation of the writer and there was
nothing eventful in the success of the treatment. The parasites disappeared
from the general circulation in about 24 hours and there was subsidence of
clinical symptoms in the course of a week.

The average weight of a pony in Assam is about 500 lb. and a uniform
dose of 5 gm. of Naganol in two doses of 2 and 3 gm. each, has been found
sufficient to effect a satisfactory cure. The same dosage is recommended
even for ponies weighing less than 500 lb. But for horses, a proportionately
larger dose is advised, depending upon the body-weight. In this connection,
a word about the cost of treatment is, however, necessary. Nowadays the
treatment is so popular that the owners ungrudgingly pay for the cost of
treatment which is limited to Rs. 10 per pony.