312 GENERAL SCIENCE 



Symptoms. The symptoms of anthrax vary with the species 

 of animal and with the virulence of the attack. In what is com- 

 monly termed " fulminating anthrax " it may well be said that there 

 are no symptoms. The horse drops dead in the harness or the cow 

 in pasture without the exhibition of any symptoms whatever. 

 It is a common experience for the veterinarian in an anthrax- 

 infected district to find that cases of supposed death by lightning 

 are really deaths from acute anthrax. 



Disposal of Animals. Cremation is the best method for the disposal 

 of animals which have died of anthrax. Dig a hole of sufficient size 

 and place iron rails across it in such a way as to support the 

 animal clear of the bottom. Make a good fire under it, and when 

 the draft has gained enough headway, cover the animal with wood 

 saturated with coal oil. Keep up the fire until nothing remains ex- 

 cept the incinerated bones. A bad cremation is a serious menace to 

 the community. 



Disinfection. The barn should be scrubbed with strong soda- 

 solution containing Krelos or other disinfectant, especial care being 

 given to the mangers, racks and floor; and then, if possible, close 

 the barn tight and disinfect with formaldehyde. Lastly, whitewash, 

 adding one pound of Krelos or some crude carbolic acid to each 

 barrel of the wash. Lime should be used freely on floor, barn-yard or 

 area where the infected animal has been. The manure from the barn- 

 yard should be hauled out and burned. It is well to remove a few 

 inches of the soil beneath the manure, replacing it with fresh gravel. 



When an animal develops anthrax the stable or pasture must 

 be regarded as an " anthrax-infected premise" and considered unsafe 

 for unvaccinated animals. Animals properly vaccinated do well 

 on infected premises, though susceptible animals may die of anthrax 

 within a short time. 



Prevention. Louis Pasteur discovered the method of preventing 

 anthrax. Anthrax bacilli, which are grown at a temperature 

 between 108 F. and 109 F., lose the power to produce disease 

 when injected into an animal, but do not lose the power of stim- 

 ulating the animal to build up germicidal substances to combat 

 the disease. Doses of anti-anthrax serum are injected into animals. 

 Usually a small dose is given, followed in two weeks by another 



