568 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G2. 



V. Qiltures in Glucose Serum Broth ; Rapid Loss of Virulence. 



VI. Experiments with Clear Sterile Oedema from Sheep. 



VII. Filtered Cultures. 



VIII. Malignant Oedema and Braxy Experiment. 



Appendix B. 

 Victorian Disease : 



I. Natural Cases Examined Post-mortem. 

 II. Isolation of Pathogenic Organism by Passage through Sheep and 

 Guinea-pigs. 



III. Experiments on Other Animals : Calf, Rabbit, Pigeons, Fowls. 



IV. Cultures in Glucose Serum Broth : Rapid Loss of Virulence : Im- 



munity Produced. 

 V. Filtered Cultures. 



" Braxy " is the popular term applied in Scotland to an enzootic 

 disease of sheep chiefly characterised by its sudden fatal termina- 

 tion, with few or no premonitory symptoms, its predilection for 

 young animals in good condition, its prevalence during winter 

 months, its rare appearance at other times of the year, the rapidity 

 with which putrefactive changes occur after death, and the presence 

 of sero-sanguineous effusions within the serous cavities and sub- 

 cutaneous tissues, and very frequently, if not constantly, acute 

 congestion and even necrosis with ulceration of the mucosa of the 

 true stomach or abomasum. 



A similar disease of sheep is recognised in Norway, Denmark 

 and elsewhere under the name of " Bradsot." In addition, a disease 

 affecting young sheep feeding on turnips in New Zealand has been 

 described by mj^self under the term " Braxy-like Disease of 

 Hoggets." These will be discussed more fully later on. 



During the past 18 months I have had an opportunity of ex- 

 amining several cases of a disease in two outbreaks (one in Tasmania, 

 the other in Victoria) which, although differing in some slight 

 respects from each other, yet correspond with " Braxy " in nearly 

 all its essential features. 



From each of these outbreaks have been isolated bacilli which 

 in small doses of pure sub-cultures reproduce the essential lesions 

 of the disease, and although the bacilli vary somewhat in certain 

 minor characters, which serve to distinguish the one from the other, 

 there is no doubt that at most they are but variations of the one 

 organism-type. 



The Disease in Tasmania. 



History. — The disease appears to have been known for a 

 number of years, and causes a definite, though varying, annual 

 mortality on certain properties. 



Season. — The months of August and September, I was informed, 

 comprise the period of the year when the disease is most prevalent. 

 It may appear earlier, however, much depending, according to the 

 experience of observant stockowners, on the nature of the season ;. 

 the spring rains, which are followed by a growth of young grass,, 

 appearing principally to determine the onset of the mortality. 



