The Menace of Anthrax. 671 



THE MENACE OF ANTHRAX. 



The Spread of the Disease and How it may be Arrested. 



The attention of the ])ul)lic is centred to-day on the alarming' out- 

 breaks of East Coast fever that have recently come to light, a 

 serious matter which is being combated by all the power this Depart- 

 ment possesses. At a time, therefore, when we stand on the brink of 

 perhaps enormous losses through the ravages of this disease (for the 

 future trend of infection is still obscure and the situation is fraught 

 with anxiety), and the public can realize the dangers from disease 

 which attend the live stock industry of the Union, we wish to draw 

 special attention to the ever-present menace which faces us in the 

 presence of anthrax. The animal diseases in the Union demand the 

 constant vigilance and unremitting research of this Department, and 

 call for the co-operation of the farmer which, in this vast country, is 

 the hinge on whicli depends either progressive improvement or 

 recurring setbacks in the campaign to free the Union from the tlirall 

 of animal disease and hasten the achievement of that goal towards 

 which our eyes are set — South Africa, a great meat producing country. 

 The road to this end is beset with difficulties, and the one transcending 

 all (East Coast fever included) is the danger v.hich lurks in the spread 

 of anthrax. This disease is not only the cause of serious mortality 

 in live stock, but is also a menace to human life in whicli it continues 

 to exact its toll. Here is a matter which concerns not only the farmer 

 but the whole community, for the interests of public health as well as 

 those of the stock owner are involved. 



Description of the Disease. 



Anthrax is a contagious disease caused bj^ a microbe, Bacillus 

 (inthracis. 



Human beings and all animals are liable to the disease, which is 

 seen chiefly in cattle, pigs, and sheep, but not uncommonly in horses. 



It shows itself suddenly and is very fatal, usually lasting forty- 

 eight hours. In South Africa it does not often spread with rapidity 

 from animal to aninial, but may affect a number of swine at the s.ime 

 time if they have been fed on anthrax flesh or organs. 



A beast which a short time before appeared to be well is found 

 dead or in a dying condition ; frequently blood oozes from the nostrils 

 and the anus. In cattle there are no typical symptoms, but in hoises 

 and pigs the throat is often found to be swollen. 



Th€ carcass is swollen. Blood is found aicnind the nostrils and 

 anus. The muscles are often infiltrated with blood at certain points. 

 The lungs and glands are congested. The spleen is very much 

 enlarged ; it is softer and darker than normal and its substance usually 

 resembles tar. 



In equines, anthrax infection not infrequently manifests itself 

 by the appearance of extensive subcutaneous swellings, frequently 

 involving the brisket or the lower surface of the abdomen. In this 



