ON FEVEliS AMONGST HOUSES, CATTLE, ETC. 241 



and their presence constitutes no other than a decided condition 

 of blood-disease or poisoning, the outward manifestations of 

 which vary in accordance with surrounding influences and modi- 

 fication of causes. 



Various attempts have been made to trace the origin of 

 anthrax to the consumption of moukiy and inferior food ; and, 

 while v/e must admit that both are positively injurious in large 

 quantities, as taken only by hungry and half-starved animals, 

 yet we have not discovered anthrax to follow, but simply diseases 

 of the digestive organs, as colic, &c. Thriving animals, and 

 those in whom plethora or the disposition to make blood rapidly 

 is present, do not descend as a rule to bad food ; and, as they are 

 the more common subjects of anthrax, we may look farther for 

 a solution of the question of origin. 



It has also been thought that certain forms of parasitical 

 (cryptogamous) growths on fodder have possessed special powers 

 in the origin of anthrax, and continental authors have diligently 

 compiled their list of such ; but, beyond proving the occur- 

 rence of intestinal disorders, they make no advance ; while 

 other animals fed for months upon such have escaped disease 

 altogether. 



There is little doubt that the entire danger attending diet 

 consists in the excess of nutritious elements poured into the 

 alimentary canal beyond the wants of the system, when, by 

 reason of other and external causes, the functions are interfered * 

 with, and at a time when the system is most vigorous and 

 active. A considerable amount of mischief has occurred during 

 late years from the use of common salt, especially among slieep. 

 To these animals, like the pig, it often proves a positi\'e poison. 

 The practice has been recommended on the ground of its power 

 of promoting a sharp appetite and favouring the growth and 

 development of animals. It is, however, a mistake to give it to 

 those that are rapidly thriving and confined to the fold or 

 yard, and to none is it more fatal tlian to ewes during pregnancy, 

 and at the time of parturition, as seen in the atfection known as 

 "heaving pains." 



Another form of anthrax fever, often due to high and condi- 

 mental feeding, is the apoplexy of parturition, common to cows 

 at the birth of their first or second calf Experience now teaches 

 that these diseases are more common than formerly in many 

 districts ; that they are more dependent upon a forced system of 

 feeding than upon breeding itself ; and by moderate care may be 

 successfully prevented. 



Water. — It does not appear that water generally possesses 

 any particular influence in the production of the various forms 

 of anthrax. When exceptions to this statement occur, they may 

 be traced to the presence of some specific poison, medicinal salts, 



Q 



