development of this disease. Anthrax is frequent in morasses and in 

 countries exposed to inundations, and in places where water stagnates on the 

 surface of the soil 



View of a Site on the Wolds of North Lincolnshire 

 in which anthrax broke out periodically ; now drained thoroughly. 



Indifferent diet, such as fermenting grains, or damaged food ; defective 

 sanitation, as bad drainage and ventilation ; or food and water contaminated 

 with the germs of the disease, are also potent causes of anthrax. 



In the spring of 1884 an outbreak of anthrax occurred in a number of 

 cart-horses under the care of Messrs. Leather, of Liverpool. These animals 

 had been fed for some time previously on an Indian pea, which in reality, 

 however, is more like a lentil than a pea. It is imported into Glasgow from 

 India, and has been given not only to horses, but is also used when ground 

 or mixed with some kinds of cake for cattle. The horses attacked commenced 

 to die very suddenly some time after the Indian peas had been given, and for 

 some weeks after their use was discontinued they still died. The symptoms 

 were roaring, bleeding from the nose, great prostration, swelling of the throat 

 followed in many cases by sudden dealh. When the Indian peas or 

 " mutters " as they are termed, w^ere examined they were found to be very 

 dirty and dusty, and among the dust the germs of the disease were found. 

 Animals have died on the Continent with similar symptoms, after being fe d 

 on the legumen, " Lathyrus sativus." It therefore remains to be shown 

 whether their death was caused by a poison in the leguminous plant, or by 

 the bacilli entering the system. 

 c 



