70 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



In 1731-32 an epizooty of gloss-anthrax raged among the 

 domesticated animals in the States of Central and South- 

 western Europe. 



The years 1757, 1763, 1779, 1780, and 1800 were 

 marked by a charbonous malady, which extended nearly 

 all over France, and affected all the domesticated 

 animals. 



Gerlach, in 1845, first demonstrated the contagious 

 character of the disease; and Pollender, in 1855, first 

 demonstrated the vegetable rod-like organisms, or bacilli 

 anthracis as they are termed, peculiar to the malady. 



Geographical Distribution. — Anthrax is of universal 

 distribution, no clime being exempt from its ravages. As 

 an epidemic and epizooty among men and animals, it breaks 

 out in Siberia, where it is termed the ' Siberian plague.' 

 As *Loodianah disease,' it is of frequent occurrence in 

 Central Hindoostan. In Australia it is termed ' Cumber- 

 land disease.' It is also met with in North and South 

 America, and Central and Southern Africa. 



Definition. — Anthrax is an acute infective disease, of 

 rapid development and extreme fatality ; appearing usually 

 in an enzootic form ; affecting all animals, including birds 

 and fishes, but more especially solipeds and ruminants, and 

 characterized by the presence and rapid multiplication of 

 the bacilli anthracis in the blood and tissues. 



Etiology — Direct Causes of Anthrax. — The immediate 

 cause of this disease is the entrance of the bacillus anthracis 

 into the blood, and its development there. 



These vegetable organisms may gain entrance into the 

 system by direct inoculation, by the digestive tract, or by 

 the air-passages. 



Predisposing Causes. — Anthrax is especially prevalent in 

 low-lying, swampy districts, where the soil is rich in organic 

 matter and salines ; these conditions being in the highest 



