Anthrax. 351 



Destruction of Carcase. 



In reference to this, I cannot do better than quote the opinion of 

 the distinguished Professor Cruickshank, whoso name is sufficient 

 guarantee for an opinion on any matter pertaining to bacterioh)gy. 

 He says : " The surest method to render harmless all the bacilli which 

 exist in the carcase is burning, but cremation offers practical 

 difficulties, especially if several carcases have to be destroyed;" or, 

 we may add, in the summer, iu very many of our pastures. In cases 

 wliere it is impracticable to burn, the natural openings should be 

 plugged, and the body treated with quick lime, and afterwards 

 buried. 



If the carcase is buried, every care must be taken that it is not 

 interred in marshy land, as the spores might find their way to the 

 surface. Should the surroundings not be favourable to cremation, it 

 is requisite that the pit should be of such depth that there should be 

 not less than six clear feet of earth over the carcase, which should 

 previously be covered with quick lime. Experiments have determined 

 that with carcases so buried the danger of propagating the disease is 

 minimised, if not absolutely prevented. It would be as well that the 

 pit should be deep, and large enough to contain the scrapings from 

 around where the animal died, to a depth of three or four inches ; 

 this, before removal, should be disinfected with quick lime, or strong 

 carbolic acid, and the place from where the earth was removed left 

 covered with quick liine, and the site of the burial fenced in for at 

 least six months. 



If death has occurred in a shed, the carcase should be removed for 

 burial after adopting the precautions mentioned; any fodder or litter 

 with which the animal came in contact should be destroyed, and the 

 sheds and carts, after removing the carcase, or any posts, should 

 be disinfected with strong lime wash, which should be prepared 

 immediately before it is required — to each gallon of lime wash add 

 4 ounces of chloride of lime, or half a pint of commercial carbolic 

 ^cid. 



If the animal has died near a spring or stream, it should at once be 

 carted away, not drawn along the ground, and the spot for a distance 

 of several feet first sown with quick lime, hoed or dug up, and more 

 lime heavily dressed over the surface, the area thus treated to be 

 fenced in, to prevent stock feeding on it. 



Danukr of Animals Feedjno on Carcase. 



Apart from the risk which is imminent to persons cutting up the 

 carcase of an animal which has died from anthrax, through becoming 

 inoculated from it, there is also ])ositive danger should ])igs or dogs 

 be fed with the meat. 



On this subject Professor Williams, (j noted by Cruickshank, 

 says : — " The flesh of animals which have died, or have been killed 

 whilst suffering fi'om the disease, sliould not be used as food, either 

 for men, pigs, or dogs, as it is apt to cause blood poisoning." And 



