DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 235 



should have some acquaintance. This is, we may mention, 

 one very important reason why we lay such special stress upon 

 our subject, and it is this — anthrax is a malady of which very 

 little is generally known, and which, if better understood, would, 

 in consequence, in all probability, become much less prevalent 

 than at present, owing to the adoption of methods of prevention. 

 Anthrax, moreover, may be looked upon as a very well-marked 

 type of disease of man and animals, and an acquaintance with 

 the chief types is, in all sciences, an aim to be held in view, and 

 acquired by those who would widen the limits of their obser- 

 vation and knowledge. An acquaintance with its manifestations 

 is as necessary as is the knowledge of its causes, prevention, and 

 methods of treatment, since it is a form of disease often con- 

 founded by the unskilled with disorders of an essentially different 

 nature. Among cattle it is better known as " splenic fever" or 

 " splenic apoplexy," which, although bearing relationship with 

 " black-leg " or " quarter-evil," is not identical with it. 



The cattle and sheep which roam about seeking food on the 

 hills of Scotland, as well as those which earn their living with 

 far greater ease in the rich and fertile valleys between, are 

 liable to suffer very heavily from different forms of anthrax. 

 Tt seems that sheep — and especially well-bred sheep — are 

 more prone than are the other domesticated animals to this 

 disease. In certain parts of France, Germany, Lower Hungary, 

 and Scotland anthrax brings about great losses, prevailing for 

 many years consecutively, and possessing highly contagious 

 properties. In England the disease seems to be on the increase, 

 as a consequence, perhaps, of the forcing systems of feeding, 

 perhaps of too much in-and-in breeding, but far more probably 

 it is owing to the gradual dissemination of the germs of anthrax 

 throughout the length and breadth of the country, and to the 

 existence of conditions more favourable to the growth or main- 

 tenance of the bacilli of this disease in the environment. 



This disease is very often met with in marshy places or 

 undrained tracts of land ; but it also occurs on mountainous 

 pastures and on dry grass farms. It is in the summer and 

 autumn that the malady especially shows itself, to the inex- 

 pressible horror of the owner of stock, who may perhaps find 

 himself suddenly robbed by anthrax of thirty-six beasts out 

 of a herd of thirty-seven, or of a corresponding number of 



