STATE HYGIENE 587 



cated, unless circumstances seem to especially point to it 

 as the infecting medium. 



The evacuation of the affected buildings is most desirable 

 until they have been disinfected. Disinfection for anthrax 

 is a matter of the greatest importance ; the bacillus is easy 

 enough to destroy, but if sporulation has taken place, the 

 destruction can only be effected with difficulty. Mercuric 

 chloride, or izal, in recognised strength (see ' Disinfection ') 

 must be employed, and the entire building as a pre- 

 cautionary measure dealt with on the lines previously laid 

 down, or such modification of it as appears suitable to the 

 case. 



The disposal of the dead should be by burning or burial 

 at moderate depth. Superficial burial is dangerous, as the 

 oxygen in the soil enables the bacilli to sporulate ; at greater 

 depths this does not take place ; but burial is a serious 

 undertaking where many animals have to be disposed of, 

 and cremation (see p. 412) is in every way preferable. 



On no account should the bodies be opened if burial is 

 practised, as spore formation will occur, nor should blood 

 be allowed to remain on the earth or further infection may 

 result. 



McFadyean, in his Annual Reports to the Eoyal Agricul- 

 tural Society, year by year impresses on agriculturists the 

 grave danger of feeding pigs on portions of animals which 

 have suddenly died on the farm. He regards it as the 

 most common method of anthrax infection in the pig, 

 which shows itself by a typical swelling in the region of the 

 throat, and death. 



Care should be taken by those employed in the cremation 

 of anthrax carcases to avoid getting wounded when pre- 

 paring them for the fire. 



Finally, if circumstances render neither moderately deep 

 burial nor cremation possible, the body should be left un- 

 opened on the surface of the ground and allowed to putrefy ; 

 the putrefactive organisms destroy the bacilli, but do not 

 destroy the spores should oxygen gain access by opening 

 the carcase. 



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