ANTHRAX OF THE HORSE 



(fig. 216) and poultices (fig. 217) are commonly employed for the pur- 

 po.se of assisting the suppurative process. When mature, the abscess 

 should be opened, and the matter discharged collected in a basket on 

 saw-dust and burned. The pus cavity .should be well .syringed out with 

 a 5-per-ceut solution of car- 

 bolic acid, and afterwards 

 filled with cotton-wool which 

 has been previously wrung 

 out in the same solution. 

 The plug of wool should be 

 changed every day, and the 

 part kept thoroughly clean. 

 Soft diet and warm clothing, 

 with thorough ventilation of 

 stables, constitute the addi- 

 tional treatment which is 

 required. 



Strangles sometimes as- 

 sumes a chronic, and occa.sionally a malignant, form, ending in the intro- 

 duction of pus into the circulation (pyaemia) or the extension of the sup- 

 purative proce.ss to the glandular system; sometimes also blood-poisoning 

 (septictemia) occurs when the exudation products become putrid. Cases 

 of the more malignant forms of the disease do not come within the scope 

 of domestic treatment, but require skilled professional aid. 



Fig. 217.— Poulticing for Str: 



ANTHRAX OF THE HORSE 



The disease which is recognized as true anthrax is due to the existence 

 in the body of a specific organism, the Bacillus anthracis (fig. 218), a 

 motionless rod which is found in the blood and in all the tissues of the 

 body into which blood can penetrate. The organism belongs to the class 

 of aerobic bacteria, that is, living only in air. Without the presence of 

 oxygen the anthrax bacillus very quickly dies. Anthrax bacilli are readily 

 cultivated in bouillon or gelatine. In the animal body the organism 

 multiplies by the formation of spores, and the almost invariable fatality 

 which results from the introduction of the microlie is due to the formation 

 of a poison during the development of the organism. Anthrax is much 

 more prevalent among cattle and sheep than among horses, and when 

 the latter are infected it is usually in consequence of a previous outbreak 

 of the disease among other stock on the farm. Cases which have occurred 

 recently, however, leave no doubt that the horse may be infected with 



