Anthrax. 205 



and a deuteralbumose together with a ptomain. Marniier sepa- 

 rated a toxin which did not give the reactions of the albuminoids, 

 alburaoses, peptones nor alkaloids. This was not poisonous in 

 small doses, to animals possessing immunity — natural or artifi- 

 cial. It was weakened but not destroyed by 110° C, and was 

 rendered harmless by treatment with alkaline hypochlorites. Ifn- 

 munity could be induced by its use in small nonfatal doses. This 

 is present in the bacilli and being soluble in water can be secured 

 from these by diffusion in watery fluids and especially so if aided 

 by heat. 



Incubation. The implanted bacillus begins at once to multiply 

 in the tissues, but the encrea,se is at first slow and the resulting 

 morbid phenomena slight, so that there appears to be a period of 

 incubation. In experimental inoculations in which this can be 

 certainly noted it extends from one to two and even three days in 

 the rabbit and Guinea pig, from two to four days in sheep, and 

 from three to six days in horses and cattle. It may be shortened 

 by giving an overdose and especially if this is introduced intra- 

 venously, the chemical poisons apparently acting at once. In 

 young animals, too, the period is shortened, unless they have been 

 rendered refractory by a milk diet or otherwise. 



Symptoms. These vary according to the species affected, and 

 the seat of the disease, general or local, internal or external. In 

 the latter case the febrile and constitutional disturbance is delayed. 

 In the internal cases the fever is early and of a high type. 

 Kven before the animal appears to be seriously ill, while still 

 keeping with the herd and showing life and vigor, there may be 

 high temperature, 104° to 106° F., pulse and breathing accele- 

 rated, heart beats tumultuous, tremors or shivering or perhaps only 

 staring coat, anorexia, and grinding of the teeth I^ater 

 there may be drooping head and ears, dulness, a disposition 

 to lie, apathy, stupor and somnolence. Nervous excitement 

 and delirium have been noticed. The patient becomes weak, 

 especially behind, comatose, and the temperature declines to, 

 it may be, 97" or even 94° F. , prior to death. The visible 

 mucosae becomes dusky, browni.sh or yellowish, and streaks 

 of blood may appear in the nose or elsewhere. The urine 

 may be red, the faeces covered with mucus, or blood streaked, and 

 the rectal mucosa of a violet tinge, or blackish and blood gorged. 



