61 



period. Owing to the distance from Honolulu and to the be- 

 lated reports reaching this office only when the carcasses would 

 be too decomposed for examination, no actual investigation of 

 the disease could be made. The owner was however instructed 

 to secure samples of the diseased organs, if any, and to forward 

 them for examination as soon as a new case should present 

 itself. 



On December 31 such samples were received, together with 

 information to the effect that several animals had died during 

 the preceding week. The accompanying description of the 

 symptoms and post mortem changes were strongly indicative 

 of anthrax, especially when considered in connection with the 

 fact that both the owner and a farm hand, who had assisted 

 in disposing of the dead animals, were suffering from pustules 

 on the hands of a very suspicious character. 



The sample forwarded for examination consisted of a piece 

 of the small intestine. This was discolored to the extent of 

 being almost black, the intestinal wall, as well as the mucous 

 membrane, being considerably swollen and showing croupous 

 well defined, contour. No sample of the spleen had been sent, 

 but it was stated that this organ was swollen to several times 

 or even diphtheritic areas of varying size, and of irregular, but 

 its normal size and filled with black blood. That the disease 

 was of extremely acute nature was evidenced by a statement 

 to the effect that the dead animals, both milch cows, were ap- 

 parently sound when they left the barn in the morning, after 

 milking, and, when they did not return in the evening and a 

 search was made, they were found dead, with blood exuding 

 from the natural openings. There was therefore sufficient 

 cause for suspecting anthrax, but careful microscopic examina- 

 tion of numerous slides prepared from the specimen failed ab- 

 solutely to disclose the presence of the anthrax bacillus. 



On January 2, a telephone message was received stating that 

 another cow had died the night before, and no time was lost 

 in reaching the ranch and locating the dead animal. The post- 

 mortem examination revealed the following conditions : 



Carcass considerably bloated, blood running from the nos- 

 trils and anus. The abdominal cavity contained several quarts 

 of blood-colored serum. ]\Iucous membrane of fourth stomach 

 swollen and congested, though not to the same extent as the 

 small intestines which were found to be discolored, as already 

 described, in their entire length, and showing the same crou- 

 pous spots and areas. The contents consisted of a dark, blood- 

 colored grumous fluid. The spleen was fully five times its 

 normal size, resembling on section a Texas fever or anthrax 

 spleen. Neither the mouth, gullet or the three first stomachs 

 nor any of the remaining organs, presented anything abnormal, 

 except such changes as might be expected forty hours after 



