166 VETERINARY STUDIES 



carcass is dangerous. It is therefore recommended only under 

 very unusual conditions, when undertaken by an expert fa- 

 miliar with the danger incurred, and where possible spread of 

 the virus can be controlled. 



Diagnosis. — In carcasses of animals dead from anthrax, there 

 is very rapid decomposition and bloating. The blood is dark 

 and does not clot. Exposure of the blood to air does not restore 

 its normal red color. The spleen is greatly enlarged. There 

 may be bloody discharge from rectum, bladder, nostrils, etc. 

 Severe inflammation of various internal organs, with local 

 hemorrhages, is common in acute cases. Local swellings under 

 the skin are not tilled with gas, and do not crackle under pres- 

 sure, as do those of blackleg. 



Diagnosis is safest and most reliable by microscopic examina- 

 tion of a small quantity of blood from the extremities (ear of 

 larger animals, or a foot of the smaller), verified by inoculation 

 of laboratory animals with anthrax blood, and followed by 

 microscopic examination of the blood of the inoculated animals. 



Treatment. — Ordinary medical treatment appears useless in 

 most cases. 



Prevention. — Prevention by vaccination should be practiced 

 annually in anthrax districts, or in sporadic outbreaks, as re- 

 quired, and is very important. There is a small risk of loss 

 from vaccination anthrax ; but the loss is less serious than risk 

 from the disease. 



There should be cremation of carcasses ; very thorough dis- 

 infection of premises (stables, sheds, yards, etc.) ; drainage and 

 cultivation of infected lands ; destruction of horseflies, mosqui- 

 toes, etc. ; drainage of pools and stagnant water where these 

 insects breed or frequent ; and effective live-stock sanitary leg- 

 islation. 



There are now three methods of vaccinating; (a) by single, 

 reduced virus vaccine; (&) by serum with virus; (c) by double 

 virus (reduced). 



The serum-virus method should be used for horses and sheep, 

 and for cattle, when the disease has already appeared in the 

 herd. The single virus is not usually advisable. The double 

 virus vaccine should be used for cattle when there is serious risk 

 of infection, but the actual disease has not yet appeared. 



Serum only should be given in affected herds, to animals of 

 any kind showing fever and not in hopeless condition. 



