126 COMMON DISEASES. 



of the anthrax organism. Although microscopic examinations 

 of blood were not made, the writer has known of poultry dying 

 suddenly during severe epizootics in the Lower Mississippi Val- 

 ley, where access was had to anthrax flesh and other tissues ; 

 and also, as previously mentioned, where poultry were seen to 

 pick horse-flies from off the bodies of mules suffering from the 

 disease. 



Course of the disease. — In isolated cases, limited outbreaks, 

 and in the early part of an epizootic, the course of the disease is 

 usually very acute and rapid ; while, toward the termination of 

 an epizootic, anthrax seems much less fatal, many of the affected 

 animals recovering. Or, in other words, the virulence of the 

 disease seems to become weakened toward the end of an outbreak. 



Examination postmortem. — On account of the danger to the 

 operator, and of spreading the disease, through the infectivity 

 of the blood, postmortem examination of an anthrax carcass is 

 dangerous, and is not recommended, except when undertaken by 

 an expert familiar with the possible untoward consequences. 



Diagnosis. — This is safest and most reliable by microscopic 

 examination of a small quantity of blood from the extremities 

 (ear of larger animals, or a foot of the smaller), or by inoculation 

 of the small susceptible animals (guinea pig), with anthrax blood, 

 and subsequent microscopic examination of the blood of inocu- 

 lated cadaver. 



Treatment. 



Therapeutic. — Internally, coal tar products have been rec- 

 ommended. Externally, good results have been secured from in- 

 jecting the carbuncles (swellings) with a 5% watery solution of 

 pure carbolic acid, or the requisite strength of some other effect- 

 ive germicide. 



Preventive. — Inoculation by the Pasteur method, practiced 

 annually in anthrax districts, or in sporadic outbreaks, as re- 

 quired. Or, by an alteration of serum and virus. Prevention 

 in this way is very important. 



Sanitary. — Cremation of intact carcasses; thorough disin- 

 fection of premises (stables, sheds, yards, etc.) ; drainage and cul- 

 tivation of infected lands ; destruction of horse-flies, mosquitoes, 

 etc. ; draining pools and stagnant water where these insects breed 

 or frequent ; and by effective live stock sanitary legislation. 



