igo 



455. Anthrax, or Splenic Apoplexy. — Although this is a disease 

 of the blood, it has already been noticed under "Digestive Organs, 

 Part II." {pay. 325). 



456. Black Quarter, or Quarter-Ill. — This disease is due to a 

 minute germ which finds its way to, and locates itself in some of the 

 tissues of the body, where it increases in number with great rapidity, 

 causing, in due course, grave alteration of the tissues of the part 

 affected, the generation and evolution of gases, with subsequent 

 derangement of the blood, and consequent death. It attacks various 

 parts of the body, particularly the limhs, loins, and shoulders. It is most 

 frequently seen in young animals, from six montlis to two years old ; 

 but even those older are by no means exempt from attack. Asa rule, 

 the best thrivers, or those in the most forward condition, are the first 

 to be affected. In young stock, it is invariably fatal, while aged 

 animals occasionally make good recoveries. Black quarter is not now 

 of nearly so common occurrence in the North of England as it was 

 some years ago ; this is owing to the better sanitation and improved 

 mode of feeding now adopted, specially to the fact of not allowing the 

 animals to lose their calf-flesh, but feeding them steadily on. The 

 disease is regarded by some as a species of anthrax, and is called 

 symptomatic anthrax ; but there is a decided post-morlcm differentia- 

 tion present, in so much that the blood of an animal dead of a/ilhrax 

 proper, ivill not coagulate, while that of an animal dead of quarter-ill 

 will. I have known of numerous affected animals (young over-fed 

 bulls in particular) that were slaughtered, and where the damaged 

 portion was cut off and destroyed, while the remainder of the carcase 

 was sold as food for human consumption. Although I never heard 

 of any bad result following, yet I do not subscribe to the system, for 

 it is a dangerous proceeding ; and all animals so affected should be 

 either scheduled or brought under the notice of the authorities. 



457. The Symptoms of black quarter or quarter-ill to be first noticed 

 are, that the animal seems very languid, breathes quickly, and hangs 

 its head, while the white of the eye has a peculiar, pale, cold, steely hue. 

 Lameness may also be present in one of the Hmbs. On examining 



