268 



ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1912 OF 



THE PRINCIPAL OF 



THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 



Anthrax. 



The following Table shows the number of outbreaks of 

 this disease and the number of animals attacked during each of 

 the last six years : — 



These figures appear to suggest that there has been a marked 

 reduction in the number of ovitbreaks during the last two years, 

 but, as was pointed out in the previous Annual Report, the 

 statistics relating to this disease since January 1, 1911, are not 

 strictly comparable with those for previous years. Prior to the 

 date mentioned every case reported to the Board of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries by a veterinary inspector to a local authority as 

 a case of anthrax figured as such in the annual returns, but 

 since the beginning of 1911 the diagnosis in all suspected cases 

 has been in the hands of the Board, with the result that the 

 total number of cases for the twelve months is considerably 

 reduced l^y the elimination of errors in diagnosis. The figures 

 for the last two years, therefore, give a much truer measure of 

 th^ncidence of the disease in Great Britain tlia)i those collected 

 under the old system. 



The figures for the last two years are comparable, and it is 

 satisfactory to note that fewer outbreaks have been verified last 

 year than in the immediately preceding one. No doubt the 

 newer statistics are not yet quite accurate, for there is reason 

 to fear that even now some cases of the disease are not 

 reported, but the diffusion of knowledge regarding the circum- 

 stances which ought to create a suspicion of anthrax must year 

 by year reduce the number of unreported cases. 



It is also satisfactory that the number of animals attacked 

 in proportion to the number of outbreaks was low, but that has 

 always been a feature of the returns relating to anthrax in this 

 country, and the fact proves that when proper precautions are 

 taken in dealing with the first case an outbreak is, as a rule, 

 easily brought to an end. 



