PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
「་།་།་।「་།
Reference :-
C.O. 885
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
12
the discharge from No. 2 is mixed with frothy blood, quite possible due to rupture of blood vessel of the lungs; extremities are now very cold, and breathing more dis- tressed, and there is a tremor all over the body; cannot possibly last long, as suffocation is imminent.
Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are following precisely the same course as Nos. 1 and 2; consequently I do not think it necessary to note them separately, unless something unusual occurs; two of these beasts are down this morning; they all have a tem- perature ranging between 103 and 105; respiration laboured and pulse oppressive. Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 have all fully 5 p.m. same day.-Nos. 1 and 2 sinking fast. developed same symptoms; all temperatures high and breathing very laboured. Picked out three more cases this day undoubtedly developing same complaint; total on sick list, nine.
Wednesday, 14th, 6 a.m.-Nos. 1 and 2 have simply lingered through the night; both dying fast, no pulse, some diarrhea; should have destroyed them, only want to watch course of disease. No. 1 died 7.30 p.m., No. 2 at 8.15 p.m., two of the other cases died in the early hours of the morning of 15th.
Thursday, 15th-Asked Dr. Parsons if he would kindly assist me in post- mortem. Post-mortem held 9 a.m., notes on which are attached. Shall destroy all animals with slightest trace of this disease, with a view of endeavouring to stamp it out, as I am confident treatment is hopeless.
Zaria Depôt, 15 July, 1909.
L. L. WOODELL,
Transport Officer.
POST-MORTEM NOTES ON BULLOCK No. 7/196. AGE, 7 Years.
The body was that of a well-nourished beast which died at Zaria Transport Depôt on the 14th day of July, 1909.
The post-mortem examination was conducted at 9 a.m., 15th July. Rigor any external mortis had set in at the time of examination, and there were no signs of injury or marks of violence. A median incision being made along the skin of the chest and abdominal walls, the subcutaneous tissues showed a great deal of serous infiltration, there was besides plenty of healthy fat beneath the skin and throughout the connective tissue.
Both pleural cavities contained a non-purulent but sanguineous fluid amounting in all to about 10 pints. The left pleural cavity was well nigh obliterated with a thick cheesy lymph exudate of recent origin, which, in some places, had become fibrinous enough to cause adhesions between the long tissue and the parietal pleura. Lymphatic exudations were beginning also in the right pleural cavity.
The left lung was enlarged, heavier than normal, intensely congested, and practically airless. The morbid processes had begun at the apex of the organ, and here the tissue was in a state of pneumonic inflammation which had reached the stage of grey hepatisation and even gangrene.
Portions cut from this part of the lung sank at once when placed in water. The pleural lining of the lung was, thickened and opaque, and the gangrenous portions were putrescent; with the exception of pleuritis, the right lung was normal as far as
could be seen.
The mediastinal glands were enlarged.
The pericardium was thickened and densely infiltrated with fat; there were
a few ounces of serous fluid in the pericardinal cavity.
The heart was enlarged-the right cavity especially-and the endoccardium much injected, no valvular disease was noticed."
The remaining organs of the beast appeared to be healthy, and there were no signs of tuberculosis.
The cause of death would appear to be an acute infective disease, characterised by a fulminating type of pneumonia, associated with an acute and widespread pleurisy, both of which conditions are probably microbial in origin.
Portions of the infected lung and a pulmonary gland are forwarded herewith for further examination.
Zaria Depôt,
13
It is laid down that the incubation stage is 20 to 40 days for pleuro-pneumonia (which I feel certain these animals are dying from according to Dr. Macfarlane's diagnosis of that disease) consequently it is possible that they contracted the disease whilst on convoy to Koriga River Camp, as the Resident, Žaria, reports that most of the Fulani have left that district with their cattle owing to lung trouble.
The Resident also reports the same sickness amongst herds in two other districts. I have requested him to kindly forward a full report as soon as all possible information is obtained.
Every possible precaution is being taken, and I am doing all in my power to reduce the casualties.
I propose going out and remaining at the bush camp as soon as Mr. Gorring arrives, as I find it is practically more than I can conscientiously do to travel some eight miles twice daily, as well as run this depôt, as the disease appears to be of such a contagious and virulent description that the only way to stamp it out is by having the animals constantly under my own supervision, examining each beast several times daily, and destroying any in which the symptoms appear.
Zaria Depôt,
15th July, 1909.
L. L. WOODELL,
Transport Officer.
THE RESIDENT, Zaria Province, to the CHIEF TRAnsport Officer, Zungeru.
In accordance with your request I have pleasure in sending you a brief report on the outbreak of the cattle sickness which has the appearance of pleuro-pneumonia and is known to herdsmen as "kuhu."
2. So far as my present information goes the principal scene of the outbreak in this province is north and south of Ruka. Cases have also been reported on the Kano Road, and one of our district heads has driven back sick herds from crossing the Kano border. I am unable to say whether the present sporadic character of the disease is of greater extent than in past years.
3. The Transport Officer here has fully reported to you the casualties amongst the Government herd. He has taken every precaution in isolating the cattle at some distance from the transport lines, where the stands may be considered infected; and if the Government losses are not reduced to a minimum it will not be for want of care on his part. His energy in dealing with the outbreak is to be highly com- mended. No less is the interest with which he has followed the course of the disease, and, with the assistance of Dr. Parsons, made valuable post-mortem notes. I can only hope that these notes, and the diseased portions of the body which have been sent in will enable some expert opinion to be obtained that will eventually be the means of our showing the Fulani how to deal with this sickness. This is one of the many ways that European science can assist the herdsmen and cultivators of this country-a help that is not only material benefit to the individuals concerned, but also affects the revenue in an appreciable degree.
4. I may add that the Resident, Kano, is giving me his cordial assistance in the work of segregation.
The Resident's Office,
Zaria, 21st July, 1909.
34012
No. 7.
J. WITHERS GILL,
Acting Resident, Zaria.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received 16 October, 1909.)
[Answered by No. 9.]
Civil Service Commission, Burlington Gardens, W.
WITH reference to Mr. Cox's letter (26923/1909) of the 26th August last,* respecting the proposed examination of candidates for appointments to veterinary
SIR,
L. L. WOODELL,
Transport Officer.
15th October, 1909.
15th July, 1909.
• No. 5.