262 SPECIFIC DISEASES. 



divided into many classes and sub-classes, which it would be im- 

 possible to enumerate in this work, it being sufficient to say that 

 the rod-shaped germs are called bacilli (rods), the ovoid ones are 

 called cocci, generally termed micro-cocci, on account of their 

 being microscopical in size, and the corkscrew-shaped ones are~ 

 termed spirilla. Eod-shaped germs (bacilli) possess the prop- 

 erty of reproducing themselves by fission, which is a breaking in 

 two of the rod, each rod forming then two germs, and also by the 

 formation of spores. These are roundish, clear bodies, which 

 appear in the centers of the bacilli, and which also possess the 

 property of forming bacilli, should they find suitable media and 

 conditions for growth. It can be readily understood that these 

 minute organisms are capable of indefinite and rapid multiplica- 

 tion, which accounts for the short and virulent course of many 

 diseases of this particular class. 



Hntbvax fever. Bvaxy. 



This is one of the most widespread diseases, its presence 

 being recorded in all parts of the world occupied by animal life, 

 and at the same time it is a very dangerous affection and highly 

 contagious. With few exceptions all warm-blooded animals are 

 subject to its attacks and the poison from dead carcasses, con- 

 taminating rivers and streams has been asserted to be a prolific 

 cause for the mysterious deaths of numbers of fish. 



We find that it is' strictly a specific disease due to a specific 

 germ, and that although in different countries and kinds of ani- 

 mals it is known under different names, still it is one and the 

 same affection, due to one and the same cause. For instance, in 

 the human family we find it occurring as wool-sorters' disease, or 

 malignant pustule. In cattle it is termed anthrax fever, splenic 

 apoplexy, also milzbrand in Germany and charbon in France. 

 In the horse it has various 'names, depending on the locality in 

 which it occurs. In East India it is known as loodiana disease, 



