214 ANTHRAX. 



culminate in a manifestation of the symptoms of anthrax, 

 unless in an outbreak in which animals have been previously- 

 attacked, we have Uttle to lead us to suspect this special 

 disease. However, when we are aware of the fact that we 

 have to deal with an outbreak of anthrax, our attention should 

 most assuredly be directed to both curative measures for those 

 which are attacked, and prophylactic for those which appear to 

 have been in dangerous relations with the diseased, or with the 

 cause of the disease. 



In its acute form, when opportunity occurs, it matters little 

 what' be the class or character of the symptoms, as soon as our 

 suspicions of its being anthrax are aroused, we should at once 

 proceed to administer those agents which rapidly taken into the 

 circulation seem immediately to act on tho bacterial organisms, 

 so as to render them inactive, and to produce such a condition 

 throughout the system that the pabulum it provides should be 

 in no way suitable for their development ; at the same time, if 

 possible, attention should be directed to those symptoms which 

 show that the effects of the poison predominate in certain 

 regions or organs. Thus, when the indications are those of 

 cerebral congestion, with a slow oppressed pulse and stertorous 

 breathing, partial coma, and a disposition to remain stationary, 

 with head depressed, or resting on or forced against the manger, 

 blood-letting is by some said to be indicated. This will 

 usually at once relieve the urgency of the symptoms, and the 

 patient may appear benefited. The relief is, however, of brief 

 duration, for, although the coma may not again seem so 

 marked, other nervous symptoms become prominent, and 

 cardiac disturbance intensified. When bleeding has been 

 deemed needful because of the head-symptoms, the application 

 of cold water or ice-bags to the poll would appear indicated. 

 Quickly following this, unless enteric symptoms are prominent, 

 a dose of laxative medicine should be administered ; the most 

 useful, we believe, is from two to four drachms of aloes given 

 as bolus. By exciting the boAvcls to action we secure a chance 

 for the excretion of effete material from the blood, which is so 

 rapidly altered in the disease. 



To produce through the vital fluid that condition of system 

 inimical to the life and increase of the bacillus anthracis 

 and its germs, to which we just now referred, we certainly 



