BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND 



FISHERIES. 



DISEASES OE ANIMALS ACTS, 1894 TO 1911. 



Description op Certain Diseases of Animals. 



The following' description of the diseases which are at present 

 (1st September, 1912) the subject of administrative action by the 

 Board has been prepared by the Veterinary Officers of the Board 

 with the view of assisting Inspectors, as well as stock owners, 

 in Great Britain, to detect those diseases. 



ANTHRAX. 



Definition. — A contagious disease caused by a microbe — 

 Bacillus Anthracis. 



Animals affected. — Human beings and all animals are liable 

 to Anthrax. The disease is seen chiefly in cattle, pigs, and 

 sheep, but not uncommonly in horses. 



Symptoms. — The disease shows itself suddenly. It is very 

 fatal, usually within 48 hours. It does not often in the United 

 Kingdom spread with rapidity from animal to animal, but it 

 may affect a number of swine at the same time if they have 

 been fed on Anthrax flesh or organs. 



A beast which a short time before appeared to be well is 

 found dead or in a dying condition. Frequently blood oozes 

 from the nostrils and the anus. In cattle there are no typical 

 symptoms, but in horses and pigs the region of the throat is 

 often found to be swollen. 



Post-mortem. — The carcase is swollen. Blood is found around 

 the nostrils and anus. The muscles are often infiltrated with 

 blood at certain points. The lungs and glands are congested. 

 The spleen is very much enlarged ; it is softer and darker than 

 normal, and its substaaice usually resembles tar. 



In most parts of this country the enlargement of the spleen 

 is of great diagnostic importance, but in those districts where 

 Redwater exists, enlargement of the spleen may also be ex- 

 pected. In this case, however, the spleen substance has not 

 the same fluid tarry appearance. The flesh is dangerous 

 to animals and human beings. It is the height of folly on the 

 part of a farmer to open an animal suspected to have died of 

 Anthrax, as he may thereby cause further infection of his 

 premises. In cases of sudden death he should await a skilled 

 opinion before disposing of the carcase. 



(26074r— 6.) Wt. 18459—78. 1000. 9/12. D & S, (-S) 



28240T 



