Vaccination for Anthrax. There are on the market several prep- 

 arations for the prevention of anthrax, but the only one recommended 

 by this station is the anti-anthrax-serum used either alone or in con- 

 junction with a spore vaccine. Even this method should be used with 

 caution and only when there is immediate danger of anthrax infection. 

 There is need of its use only upon animals actually pastured upon 

 lands which are known beyond a doubt to be infected with anthrax, 

 and on such lands animals should be vaccinated in early summer 

 before the disease appears. Do not vaccinate for anthrax merely be- 

 cause its outbreak is feared, for some risk of actually introducing the 

 disease is incurred thereby. The permanent infection of the land 

 is to be as greatly dreaded as the loss of animals. 



In the case of very valuable animals on farms in the vicinity of 

 outbreaks of anthrax, serum alone may be used to protect them for 

 ten to fourteen days. Since the serum does not contain the germs of 

 the disease there is no danger of producing an outbreak or of infecting 

 the land. Do not vaccinate unless advised to do so by a state, county, 

 or other competent veterinarian. Some of the firms which manufac- 

 ture anthrax vaccine and are interested in its sale are conscientious 

 enough to advise in their literature against vaccination unless the 

 animals are to be pastured on land known to be infected. 



Treatment. When the disease makes its appearance it is well to 

 remove the healthy animals from the pasture or range in which the 

 animals have been kept, and to confine the affected ones to a limited 

 area on the pasture in which they are found. 



Anthrax serum alone in large doses for curative treatment is 

 recommended, as indicated on the labels. The improved serum now 

 on the market has great curative value and should be used in out- 

 breaks whenever obtainable. The services of a veterinarian should 

 always be secured. Use serum alone in actual outbreaks unless tem- 

 peratures can be taken. This is to be followed in ten days by serum 

 and vaccine. Where temperatures can be taken, as in dairy cattle, 

 give those showing 103 F. or over serum alone and the others serum 

 and vaccine, as indicated on labels. 



The principal factors in the control of anthrax are : ( 1 ) the prompt 

 and proper disposal of the carcasses of infected animals; (2) drain- 

 age and cultivation of infected land (3) prevention of outbreaks 

 through the regular seasonal vaccination of animals when pastured 

 on infected land; and (4) the prompt treatment of herds in which 

 cases of anthrax occur with serum and vaccine under the supervision 

 of veterinarians. 



