560 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vi. 



powers of reproduction of this microbe are such that if but a small 

 number gain entrance into the circulation, in a few hours they are 

 found in hundreds in every drop of blood, not only impairing its 

 properties and reducing its vitality, but blocking up the vessels through 

 which it circulates and bringing about a general stagnation of the vital 

 fluid. It is on this account that the disease proves so rapidly fatal and 

 defies all methods of treatment. 



Anthrax prevails to the largest extent in damp situations, especially 

 in the course of river valleys and on low undrained and undrainable 

 marshes and retentive clays, where the germs linger in the soil for 

 long periods, and under the influence of heat and moisture multiply 

 with extraordinary rapidity. It is also frequently seen in beasts 

 confined in sheds and yards, whence the virus is conveyed in drinking- 

 water and articles of food and by various other means. There is 

 reason to believe that the germs of anthrax are sometimes incorporated 

 with the fodder gathered from infected pastures, and retain their 

 vitality and virulent properties for many months. The entrance of 

 the anthrax bacillus into the system is said to take place mainly 

 through wounds and abrasions in the mouth. This may account for 

 young animals being so frequently affected during the eruption of the 

 second dentition, when the gums are broken by the displacement of 

 the temporary teeth. 



Symptoms. The onset of this disease is very sudden and it runs its 

 course very rapidly, seldom extending over forty-eight hours and often 

 proving fatal in from six to twelve. The first notification of the existence 

 of anthrax in a herd is frequently the sudden death of one of the 

 number. Others may be seen standing alone, refusing to move or 

 feed, with drooping head and dull expression of face. If the body 

 temperature be taken it is found to be much elevated, the pulse is 

 small, feeble and rapid, and the breathing is more or less accelerated. 

 When moving, the gait is stiff or staggering, the muscles twitch and 

 quiver, and in some instances swellings appear about the throat and 

 neck. Now and again there is a discharge of saliva from the mouth, 

 and the dung is stained with blood, or the urine is also similarly dis- 

 coloured. The animal obstinately stands until it falls and expires. 



Treatment. The treatment of anthrax need not be considered save 

 in so far as it refers to measures of prevention. It is most desirable 

 that the affected beast be at once destroyed. 1 This should be done by 

 the poll-axe, and pithing so as to limit the escape of blood as much as 

 possible, and to prevent the soil and manure of the homestead from 

 becoming further tainted with the virus which the blood contains. 

 The carcass should be removed to waste land, or into a wood or some 

 place to which stock have no means of access, and there buried six 

 feet deep in lime. Before removing a carcass the mouth, nostrils, 

 eyes, and anus, indeed all the natural outlets of the body, should be 

 filled with this substance, in order to absorb the discharges and prevent 

 the scattering of the virus. 



1 A leaflet, "Notes on Anthrax," may be had gratis on application to the Secretary, Royal 

 Agricultural Society, 13, Hanover Square, London. W. 



