228 VETERINARY HYGIENE 



This procedure is expeditious and safe, and saves a lot of 

 trouble and anxiety. It is a method which should be adopted 

 by every Local Authority. 



Failing chemical digestion or destruction by heat or steam in 

 a destructor, the carcases must be burned or buried. The pros 

 and cons for burial or cremation of anthrax carcases, and the 

 method of conveying them to the crematorium or site of burial 

 have been discussed under the heading dealing with Anthrax (see 

 Anthrax and Disinfection). 



CREMATION OF CARCASES. There are two accepted methods 

 for the cremation of carcases in 'the field. One recommended 

 by General Sir F. Smith and the other advised by the Ministry of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries. General Smith's method is as 

 follows* : 



Dig a trench in the ground in the shape of a cross, each trench 

 to be 7 feet long, about 15 inches wide, and 18 inches deep at the 

 centre where the two meet, and becoming shallower as they rise to 

 the surface of the ground. Throw the earth into the angles formed 

 by the trench and on this place two stout pieces of iron. The 

 trench provides the draught. Use a layer of stout wood to make 

 a base, and on this place the carcase followed by more wood. The 

 pile is lighted by straw. 



The method of cremating anthrax carcases recommended by 

 the Ministry of Agriculture in a Memorandum to Local Authorities, 

 known as the Bostock Method, is as follows : 



Dig an oval pit 7 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep, with 

 a cross trench at the bottom 9 inches wide and 9 inches deep. Dig 

 a trench 4 feet long, 18 inches wide and 4 feet deep, about 1 foot 

 from and at right angles to one of the long sides of the pit, and 

 connect this trench by a tunnel with the cross trench in the pit. 

 In loose soil the tunnel may be made with a drain pipe. If the pit 

 is dug on level ground, this trench should be dug 4 feet 6 inches 

 deep to allow of drainage from the cross trenches, which should in 

 that case slope with the tunnel into the trench. This trench is 

 for draught and drainage, and should be on the lower side of the 

 pit. Lay one-third of the fuel in the pit, some wood being arranged 

 over the cross trenches to keep them clear. Sprinkle with paraffin 

 oil. Place the carcase into the pit and arrange the remaining 

 two-thirds of the fuel round and over it. Light the fire at the 

 draught tunnel. When well alight, the fire usually requires no 

 attention, and stirring it would only waste the fuel. The fuel 

 required for the carcase of a large bullock is about | ton of coal, 

 * Veterinary Hygiene, 3rd. Ed., 1905, p. 412. 



