ANTHRAX 107 
use. The objection to this method is, that it requires the use of the 
living bacteria, which later may become virulent and consequently 
cause a subsequent outbreak. The scattering of pathogenic organ- 
isms, even in an attenuated condition, should be avoided if possible. 
It must be admitted, however, that Pasteur’s method has done much 
good and helped to rob anthrax of much of its former terror, especially 
for the farmers of Europe. In America the spread of anthrax has 
been checked in many districts by its use. Dalrymple has pointed 
out its success in the lower Mississippi Valley. Chester and Neal 
used it successfully in Delaware. They pointed out that a vaccine 
which succeeded at one time proved fatal at a subsequent time. 
Notwithstanding, it is highly probable that the spreading of a 
knowledge of the specific cause of this disease with instructions for the 
proper disposition of dead animals has also exerted much influence for 
good in checking its ravages. 
In Germany and England the stamping-out system is considered 
superior to vaccination. According to Crookshank, in England it is 
regarded as the only reliable means of suppressing the disease. To 
this end rigid laws have been enacted. In this country as rigid 
measures as possible for its eradication should accompany the use of 
methods for establishing a tolerance for its existence. 
The simultaneous method. This method consists in the injection of 
anthrax serum* together with a small quantity of virulent anthrax 
bacteria. It has proven to be very satisfactory. It has the advan- 
tage of being administered at one time. This method of protection 
against anthrax seems to have been first proposed by Sobernheim in 
1899. He reports excellent results from its use in immunizing cattle 
and sheep against anthrax in South America. Sclavo has produced 
serums which seem to have a therapeutic as well as prophylactic 
value. It has been used in treating human anthrax since 1897. 
Prevention. In all cases the well animals should be removed from 
the barns or yards containing the sick ones and from pasture lands on 
which the sick became infected. The temperature of the apparently 
healthy animals should be taken morning and evening from one to 
two weeks after they are removed and all of those showing an eleva- 
tion of temperature should be isolated. By careful isolation and safe 
*Horses are immunized in from 10 to 12 days. They are injected with 5 cc. of the 
serum and are from 0.25 to 0.30 cc. of a culture of anthrax bacteria in different parts of 
the body. According to Sobernheim the successful use of the serum depends upon using 
the virus in combinations with it. t 
