350 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



beast has only just died is of a heavy nature. Decomposition sets in 

 very rapidly, owing- to the bursting of the blood vessels, and the 

 tar-like colour of the blood which escapes from the hinder openings of 

 the body is especially to be noted. 



Should an owner desire to pursue his examinations further, 

 by opening n]> an animal in order to discover the change under the 

 skin, and Iioav the .internal organs are affected, it would be wise for 

 him to have an abundant supply of disinfectant, such as corrosive 

 sublimate, of the strength of 1 in 500 in water, or carbolic acid, 5 per 

 cent, solution in water. He should also be most careful that no 

 abrasions or cuts are on the hands. On dissection and opening back 

 the skin, the blood vessels on the hide appear to be densely filled with 

 black coloured blood, gelatinous infiltrations occur under the skin on 

 the neck, and along the trachea down to the chest. 



The llesli on the legs may vary in colour, from a dark brownish 

 ;*ed to violet, infiltrated with blood spots. On further opening up the 

 carcase the cavities of the body, abdomen, thorax, and heart sac will 

 be found to contain varying quantities of f(ctid fiuid ; blood is found 

 to have escaped in more or less quantities under the serous membranes 

 and heart sac, as also most particularly in the mesentery and the 

 duplicature of the pleura (mediastinum). The neighbourhood of the 

 kidneys is gelatinously infiltrated. 



The internal organs, spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs, contain a 

 large quantity of blood. All the lai'ger veins and the heart are filled 

 with blood, and the surrounding tissues with fcietid fiuid. 



The spleen is considerably enlarged, often to five times its normal 

 size; the pulp soft, more or less fluid, and stained a very deep red 

 colour, almost black. 



The liver, like the kidneys, is highly congested, and on dissection 

 blood centres are visible, often with degeneration and inflammation 

 of both liver and kidneys. Often in all the stomach pouches and 

 compartments gelatinous and unhealthy infiltrations occur. 



The lungs are greatly congested, filled with effusion — that is, like 

 froth and water, and show spots as though blood was concealed 

 beneath. The mucous membrane of the windpipe is much reddened, 

 and shows similar blood spots to those spoken of as occurring in the 

 lungs, in addition to which a considerable quantity of effusion will be 

 found in the windpipe. 



The blood, as before noted, is dark, and almost black, and of a 

 very tarry lustre, showing no sign of coagulation, nor will it assume 

 its natural red colour when exposed to the air. 



It cannot be too strongly impressed <»n stock ownei's that in the 

 form in which anthrax occurs in cattle in Australia, many of the 

 evidences before quoted may be absent, but in every case the blood 

 may be regarded as sufficiently diagnostic, and carcases which present 

 the signs quoted, should invariably be regarded with suspicion, and 

 destroyed by fire without removal from the spot wliere the death took 

 place. 



