3l6 ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Anthrax, Anthrax is a rapidly fatal disease, produced by the growth of a germ 



in the blood. It attacks all animals and may be conveyed from one to 

 another, but is most generally caused by the germ being consumed in 

 the food or water. 



The general symptoms are the same in all animals ; high fever, want 

 of appetite, rapidly increasing swellings in various parts of the body, 

 spotting and purple colouring of the lining of the eye and nose, bloody 

 discharges from the nose and sometimes the bowels, and rapid death. 



In the horse the patient may be found in many cases with swelling 

 of the throat, which rapidly increases. This swelling, which is common 

 in all cases of the disease, is rather soft and doughy to the feel ; the 

 finger pressed into it will leave a dent ; it may occur in the chest or 

 belly, when chest symptoms or colicky pains will be shown. Later a 

 rusty or bloody discharge may be seen to run from the nostrils, and 

 death occurs in about 24 to 48 hours. Among cattle it is quite usual 

 to find the animals dead, the disease being very sudden in its course, 

 but in other cases the characteristic swellings appear and the case lasts 

 for a day or two, presenting the same symptoms as already described. 

 When cattle are found dead there is often a bloody discharge from the 

 bowel. 



After death the general appearances are a tarry-liquid condition of 

 the blood, great enlargement of the spleen, and yellow jelly-like swellings 

 in the chest, belly or throat, and in cattle under the skin. 



Preven- Preveiitio?i. — As the disease is usually introduced by the food, 



tion. this should be changed when possible. There is little danger 



of animals getting it from one another if strict precautions are 

 observed, as follows : separation as soon as found ill, burning of all litter, 

 fodder, droppings, line gear, &c., of the diseased over the places where 

 they have stood. In stables, walls should be scorched with a flame as 

 high up as the animal can reach its nose, scraped and washed with a 

 strong disinfectant. The top layer of earth from earthen standings 

 should be removed and burnt with litter, &c. Carcases should be 

 buried whole — not slashed or cut in any way. This is the safest method, 

 care being taken that no discharges drop from the body. When 

 carcases are ordered to be burnt, great care should be taken to burn 

 litter over the blood which is spilt in cutting up the carcase. 

 Curative measures are of no avail. 



Mange. " Majiore is produced by small insects which live in or on the skin ; 



it is found in all animals ; and each class of animal has its own 

 particular variety of itch insects. On service this disease is a constant 

 source of trouble and loss, and deserves particular attention, as it is 



