90 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Ayithrax, or Sple^iic Apoplexy. — Two fine mule deer were 

 lost from infections with anthrax. Both animals were bucks, 

 bred in the Park, and were fine specimens. They occupied the 

 same corral, and were both found dead upon the keeper's arrival 

 in the morning. The suddenness of the death suggested some 

 acute poisoning, but the post-mortem examination, and the 

 microscopical examination of the blood, demonstrated the cause 

 of death to be anthrax. 



This disease is due to the introduction into the blood or tis- 

 sues of the Bacillus anthracis, or its spores. The microbes are 

 always found in the anthrax lesions, and in advanced stages in 

 the blood of the victim. Herbivora are affected chiefly with the 

 intestinal form of anthrax, infection in these cases commonly re- 

 sulting from the ingestion of hay or other food containing spores. 

 We have witnessed the disease in fallow deer, hog deer, mule 

 deer, and in a bison. From inquiries received relative to a rap- 

 idly fatal disease among deer and other wild animals, I am led 

 to believe that all wild herbivorous animals are highly suscep- 

 tible to infection by anthrax. 



Anthrax is a rapidly fatal disease, and in all cases in wild 

 animals that have been observed by us, the diagnosis has been 

 made on post-mortem findings. 



In the cases of the deer, the animals were found dead in the 

 ranges without any previous history of illness. In the case of 

 a buffalo cow, the animal was found lying down in the range, 

 and did not get up when approached. There was difficult breath- 

 ing, bluish color of the mucous membranes of the nostrils and 

 mouth, trembling and prostration, convulsions and death within 

 a few hours. The examination of the tissues and blood showed 

 the infection to be anthrax. 



Diagnosis of Anthrax by Post-Mortem Examination. — The 

 post-mortem changes occurring with this disease are quite char- 

 acteristic and fairly constant. The bodies of animals which 

 have died from anthrax are often well nourished. Rigor mortis 

 is absent, and decomposition quickly takes place. Frequently 

 blood will be seen escaping from the mucous surfaces immedi- 

 ately after death, especially from the mouth and nostrils. The 

 capillaries of the skin are distended with dark blood of a tarry- 

 like lustre, and showing little or no tendency to coagulate. It 

 does not assume its normal red color when exposed to the air. 

 Haemorrhages are frequently seen beneath the epidermis. The 



