No. G. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Hli 



autlirax. I found lie had a number of large, malignant-looking pus- 

 tules on his right arm, or rather forearm. I made cultures from these 

 and after reaching the laboratory- found I had almost pure cultures of 

 the anthrax bacillus. It appears that when Mr. Chilson's first two ani- 

 mals died, seven days previous to my visit, he removed the hides. He 

 had been working in the oat field the same day and no doubt had 

 scratched his arm and thereby inoculated himself. 



"These first two animals were buried, but all subsequent animals 

 were burned immediately after death. I ordered the graves to be 

 burned over with dry brush or straw and then well limed. The hides 

 that were removed had been kept in a box, which 1 ordered burned, 

 both box and hides. Mr. Chilson has lost five head all told, and Mr. 

 Williams, an adjoining farmer, one head, which had been burned. 



^These farms are situated along Loyalsock creek, and I am told 

 there is a tannery at Laporte, about 16 miles up the stream, which 

 may be the source of this outbreak. There is only one farm between 

 this point and Laporte, as most of the country is mountainous. 



"Mr. AS'illiams told me the stream had been low and of a filthy char- 

 acter during the latter part of July and the first few weeks in August, 

 then there was high water, which washed back over some of the land 

 where cattle were grazing. 



"Very truly, 



"SAMUEL H. GILLILAND." 



As I have in previous reports discussed at some length the method 

 to be employed in burning and disinfecting on account of anthrax, 1 

 shall not go into this subject here. 



During the past few years anthrax appears to have become more 

 prevalent in the ITnited States although, unfoitunately, there are 

 no general statistics to show the exact situation. During the past 

 year there have been more or less extensive outbreaks of anthrax in 

 Wisconsin, Illinois, the southern part of the valley of the Mississippi 

 and in British Columbia. Since the disease is now so wide spread in 

 the United States, there is the possibility of its occurring anywhere, 

 and stock owners should ever be watchful to require the immediate 

 cremation of anv animal dving of a disease resembling anthrax, unless 

 death is known positively not to be from this disease. 



BLACK QUARTEK or black leg has prevailed to a less extent this 

 year than for several years past. Animals have been vaccinated on 

 infected farms where the disease has prevailed; usually during an 

 active outbreak, and all but two have been protected successfully. It 

 is important in this disease, as it is in anthrax, and it is required by 

 law. that carcasses shall be burned, boiled or safely buried. 



8—6—1901 



