386 



stables, where he injected it with 100 cc. anti-anthrax serum 

 and sent it back mauka. The horse died a few hours after, be- 

 tween midnight and morning. 



When I reached the ranch the manager had already visited 

 the carcass and taken blood smears for microscopic examination. 

 These proved to contain a very few bacilli strongly resembling 

 anthrax, whereas there should have been millions had the animal 

 actually died from this disease. It was therefore decided to ex- 

 amine the carcass. Here again a number of contrasting condi- 

 tions wxre found. Though the animal had then been dead at 

 least six hours, the carcass was in a condition of extreme rigor 

 mortis. There was no bloody discharge from the natural open- 

 ings. These two conditions would generally be considered suffi- 

 cient to pronounce a negative diagnosis — not anthrax. The 

 jugular vein was severed, and very dark blood containing dis- 

 tinct clots flowed out. Here again the first condition spoke for 

 anthrax, the second against. So when the carcass was opened. 

 The system was enlarged but not soft. There were some gela- 

 tinous exudations but not sufficient to be of diagnostic value or 

 appearance. Smears w^ere taken for microscopic examination 

 and the carcass was then burned where it lay. The subsequent 

 examination showed a very few anthrax-resembling bacilli. Had 

 the animal died from an ordinary case of anthrax the blood 

 would, six to eight hours after death, have been a seething mass 

 of bacteria. 



I have gone into detail in describing this case to show how 

 difficult the diagnosis of anthrax can be at times. Also to show 

 the inadvisability of taking a horse four miles, mostly up hill, 

 after injecting 100 cc. of anti-anthrax serum. 



BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS WORK. 



From Hawaii Dr. Elliot, who has returned from the Coast 

 much improved in health and who has resumed his duties with 

 this Board, reports that he has tested all dairy animals in Hilo 

 and vicinity, some 320 head, and found 12 reactors. These 

 have been appraised, destroyed and compensation paid in the 

 usual way. 



From Maui, Dr. Fitzgerald reports 2 cows condemned at La- 

 haina. 



On Kauai Dr. Golding will test the dairy stock on the north- 

 ern part of the island, but until final arrangement has been made 

 for his retention it has not been considered advisable for him to 

 be absent from the Hanalei district for anv len.sfth of time. 



'ts' 



Respectfully submitted, 



V^ICTOR A. NORGAARD, 



Territorial Veterinarian. 



