74 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



of some scientists quite within the range of possibiUty for the 

 infective ^'irus as represented by spores to be distributed from one 

 part of a countr}^ to another through the media of birds, dogs and 

 even flies if affected carcasses were exposed to the attacks of these 

 creatures. 



It is quite recognized that in the malady known as wool sorters' 

 disease, which unquestionably possesses anthracoid characteristics 

 we have an illustration how certainly the disease maj^ be propa- 

 gated through wool and hair that has long been taken from the 

 animals which were as certainly the subjects of anthrax; this 

 serves to confirm our previous assertion relative to the almost 

 unbounded vitality of the organism and the readiness with which 

 its infective proj^erties are transmitted. The place in the body 

 which this organism occupies and thrives in is the blood, and 

 when an animal dies and there is a suspicion that it is due to 

 anthrax, it is best to confirm the existing doubt by an experiment 

 on one of the smaller animals; take, say a rabbit, make a slight 

 incision in the skin of the ear and rub in gently one or two drops 

 of the blood of the dead horse; most probablj^ a very few hours 

 will suffice to show whether it is anthrax, as the symptoms of the 

 disease followed by death will speedily transpire: we are not to be 

 understood as generally advocating the principles of vivisection, 

 indeed we may sa}' that we strongly object to their general prac- 

 tice, as there is no proof that the millions of animals which have 

 been cruelly tortured and sacrificed to the whims of fanciful 

 scientists have ever produced the slightest benefit to science, inas- 

 much as the results obtained from such experiments have never 

 saved a single life; this is strong language to give expression to 

 and a very bold statement to make, but we believe it capable of 

 distinct proof; nevertheless there are occasions when experiments 

 on living animals are justifiable wdiere there can be no question 

 about the advantage to be derived and where speculative results 

 are not looked for; the present is one of the few of those cases 

 and the end here justifies the means. Now we are of opinion 

 that without overloading this article v.'ith closer details, sufficient 

 has been advanced to show that aptitude of recognition and smart- 

 ness at combatting difficulties are absolutely neces-sarj^ qualifica- 

 tions if this di.sease is to be overcome; and believing that details 

 as to life, history, pathology, etc., would only serve to cumber 



