474 GENERAL DISEASES. 



beings that anthrax is sometimes carried by dust from infected 

 hides or wool, in which case the anthrax germs begin their assault 

 on the air-passages. 



An attack of anthrax, like one of small-pox in the case of 

 human beings, confers almost complete immunity from a subse- 

 quent one. 



Want of drainage and insanitary conditions seem to be the 

 two great influences which favour the spread of these bacteria, 

 in the same manner as they do' other low forms of vegetable life. 

 Thus, we find that draining, clearing, and tilling land infested by 

 these disease-producers, has, in a great number of cases, rendered 

 such pastures healthy. The same may be said as to covering the 

 floors of infected stables with concrete, and draining and ventilating 

 these abodes. 



In many hot coimtries, the seeds of anthrax seem to remain 

 permanently in pastures which are favourable to their existence, 

 and in such cases appear to need only certain conditions of climate 

 to make them assume a virulent form. Hence, in such countries, 

 it would be manifestly impossible to prevent the occurrence of 

 the disease by destroying the affected animal. Although the 

 micro-organism of anthrax may maintain its existence outside the 

 animal body for a considerable time in England, it does not 

 appear capable of becoming a permanent resident in our pastures ; 

 and consequently, we find that '^ stamping out " acts Avell in this 

 country. 



" Evidences," as regards Loodiana fever, " are rapidly accumu- 

 lating to prove that the virus of the disease is brought to troop 

 horses with the grass grown upon inundated soil, especially the 

 creeping grass. Horses fed upon rumnah grasses cut above ground 

 are far less subject to the disease than those fed on the common 

 huryali, which is cut on or below the surface, and has much of the 

 soil brought in with its stem " (" Veterinary Returns of the Madras 

 Army "). 



Anthrax appears to occur at all altitudes and in all latitudes. 



Bollinger states that ground impregnated with the blood or 

 dung of animals suffering from anthrax, will remain virulent for 

 a long time. This will be especially the case, if the soil in question 

 be soft, damp and badly drained. The same authority considers 

 that flies play a large part in distributing the disease. 



The germs of anthrax are often imported in foreign hides and 

 wool, and sometimes even in grain. They not unfrequently infect 

 land and water by drainage from tanneries and wool factories. 



Pasteur points out that if an animal which has suffered from 

 anthrax be buried under ordinary conditions, the ground imme- 

 diately over the carcase will, in a short time, become infested with 



