TKEATMENT OF ANTHRAX. 303 



or in an altered or modified condition. How, then, is the viscidity 

 of the blood to be restored ? Direct experiments upon the blood 

 removed from the body, and the treatment of hsemorrhagic 

 diseases, have very satisfactorily shown that the chlorate of 

 potash has a peculiar effect in this direction, and it is upon this 

 substance that dependence must be placed, For young stock the 

 following draught is to be administered : — 

 R. Pot. chlor. 3iii. 

 Aqua3, Oi. 



M. and give three times a day. 



For a full-grown animal an additional drachm may be given 

 with safety ; but if given in large doses intestinal irritation is 

 apt to be induced. 



On account of its well-known antiseptic properties, carbolic 

 may prove very useful in the treatment of anthrax ; indeed, I 

 understand that Principal Veterinary Surgeon Collins has pre- 

 scribed its internal administration with marked effect in India. 

 It may be given largely diluted, two or three times a day, in 

 doses proportionate to the species and size of the animal under 

 treatment. M. Decroix, P.A^.S., French Army, recommends the 

 l)orate of soda, 100 grammes daily, dissolved in water, and given 

 as a draught to the horse. 



Purgatives generally do harm, and for the reason that there is 

 some congestion of the intestinal mucous membrane. 



During the course of treatment of charbon it is important that 

 special regimen be used. The animal should be well nourished. 

 Food easily digested and of good quality should be given. Tonic 

 medicines, as preparations of iron, gentian, and decoctions of 

 aromatic plants, may be used at the time of convalescence. 



The prevention of charbonous fever is a matter of great 

 importance. Some writers affirm that it is more commonly met 

 with since the introduction of artificial manures, and that it is 

 due to the presence of the nitrites conveyed from the soil to 

 the blood in the water, herbage, turnips, &c. I think that this 

 view is not established, as the malady is met with where artificial 

 manures are not at all used. If it were solely due to the nitrites 

 or to any of the salts contained in artificial manures, its existence 

 would have been unknown prior to the introduction of such 

 manures. It is a fact, however, that when animals are poisoned 

 with the nitrites, such as the nitrite of amyl, that the blood 



