ANTHRAX. 447 



would allow the actually diseased parts to be sold and consumed. 

 Finally, this parasite, like all others, would be destroyed in the proc- 

 ess of cooking. Most authorities thus do not believe that actinomy- 

 cosis in man is directl}'^ traceable to the disease in animals, but are of 

 the opinion that both man and animals are infected from a third 

 source, which has already been discussed above. How fai these views 

 may be modified by further and more telling investigations of the 

 parasite fungus itself no one can predict. There are still wide gaps 

 in our knowledge, and the presentation above simply summarizes the 

 prevailing views, from which there are dissenters, of course. An 

 attempt to give the views of both sides on this question would neces- 

 sitate the summarizing and impartial discussion of all the experi- 

 ments thus far made — a task entirely beyond the scope of the present 

 work. 



Whether an animal affected with actinomycosis should be used for 

 human food after all diseased organs and tissues have been thoroughly 

 removed is a question the answer to which depends on. a variety of 

 circumstances. Among these may be mentioned the thoroughness of 

 the meat inspection itself, the extent of the disease, and the general 

 condition of the animal affected. 



The Federal meat-inspection regulations require that carcasses of 

 animals showing generalized actinomycosis shall be condemned. 

 If carcasses are in a well-nourished condition, showing uncompli- 

 cated localized lesions of actinomycosis, they may be passed after 

 the infected organs or parts have been removed and condemned. 

 When the disease of the jaw is slight, strictly localized, and without 

 pus formation, fistulous tracts, or lymph-gland involvement, the 

 tongue, if free from disease, may be passed. The heads affected 

 with actinomycosis (lumpy jaw), including the tongue, shall be 

 condemned, except that when the lesions in the jaw are strictly local- 

 ized and slight in extent, the tongue may be iDassed, if free from 

 disease. 



ANTHRAX. 



Anthrax or charbon may be defined as an infectious disease which 

 is caused by specific bacteria, known as anthrax bacilli, and which is 

 more or less restricted by conditions of soil and moisture to definite 

 geographical localities. A^^iile it is chiefly limited to cattle and sheep, 

 it may be transmitted to goats, horses, cats, and certain kinds of 

 game. Smaller animals, such as mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs, 

 speedily succumb to inoculation. Dogs and hogs are slightl}^ sus- 

 ceptible, while fowls are practically immune. The variety of domes- 

 ticated animals which it may attack renders it one of the most 

 dreaded scourges of animal life. It may even attack man. Of this 

 more will be stated further on. 



