SPREAD OF THE DISEASE IN NATURE 345 



germination, and also of their multiplication, as they can un- 

 doubtedly grow on the organic matter which occurs in nature. 

 They can again form spores. It is in the condition of spores 

 that they are dangerous to susceptible animals. In the bacillary 

 stage, if swallowed, they will be killed by the acid gastric con- 

 tents ; but as spores they can pass uninjured through the 

 stomach, and gaining an entrance into the intestine, infect its 

 wall, and ultimately reach, and multiply in the blood. It is 

 known that in the great majority of cases of the disease in sheep 

 ami oxen, infection takes place thus from the intestine. It was 

 thought by Pasteur that worms were active agents in the natural 

 spread of the disease by bringing to the surface anthrax spores. 

 Koch made direct experiments on this point, and could get no 

 evidence that such was the case. He thinks it much more 

 probable that the recrudescence of epidemics in fields where 

 anthrax carcases have been buried is due to persistence of spores 

 on the surface which has been infected by the cattle when alive. 

 In Britain it is common to attribute the occurrence of sporadic 

 outbreaks to infection by imported feeding stuffs. Scientific 

 proof of such a method of infection being common is still 

 wanting, 



The Disposal of the Carcases of Animals dead of Anthrax. It is ex- 

 tremely important that anthrax carcases should be disposed of in such a, 

 way as to prevent their becoming future sources of infection. If anthrax 

 be suspected as the cause of death, no post-mortem examination should be 

 made, but only a small quantity of blood removed from an auricular 

 vein for bacteriological investigation. If such a carcase be now buried 

 in a deep pit surrounded by quicklime, little danger of infection will be 

 run. The bacilli being conftned within the body will not spore, and will 

 die during the process of putrefaction. The danger of sporulation taking 

 place is, of course, much greater when an animal has died of an unknown 

 disease, which, on post-mortem examination, has proved to be anthrax, 

 but similar measures for burial must be here adopted. In some countries 

 anthrax carcases are burned, and this, if practicable, is of course the best 

 means of treating them. The chief source of danger to cattle subsequently, 

 however, proceeds from the infection of fields, yards, and byres with the 

 offal and the discharge from the mouths of anthrax animals. All material 

 that can be recognised as such should be burned along with the straw in 

 which the animals have lain. The stalls or buildings in which the 

 anthrax cases have been must be limewashed. Needless to say, the 

 greatest care must be taken in the case of men who handle the animal or 

 its carcase that they have no wounds on their persons, and that they 

 thoroughly disinfect themselves by washing their hands, etc., in 1 to 

 1000 solution of corrosive sublimate or lysol, and that all clothes soiled 

 with blood, etc., from anthrax animals be thoroughly boiled or steamed 

 for half an hour before being washed. 



The Immunising of Animals against Anthrax. Having 



