48 _ ‘MAX HENRY. 
the past year in several parts of the colony; and an outbreak which 
was attributable by the owners to poisonous plants, was investi- 
gated and. reported on by the Government veterinarian.” 
In 1886 the disease was very disastrous in some districts, 
the sheep dying by thousands. For the next few years the 
reports are serious, then in 1892 the disease is reported as 
being less virulent, and this continues until 1894, when it 
is Stated that “‘there have been no serious outbreaks during 
the past year.”’ 
During this period the highest number of cattle reported 
officially as dying from Anthrax was 1,780 in 1887, and 1,216 
in 1888, but these figures are not reliable. They are, 
however, a comparative guide. 
In 1894 the disease showed a tendency to spread, or else 
was more iully reported owing to the benefits to be obtained 

from vaccination. From that date on to 1900 the reports _ 
are very unenlightening, each one stating that Anthrax is | 
apparently on the increase (no details given) yet in the 
report for 1900 it is stated no outbreaks of the disease in 
sheep occurred, but that 525 head of cattle died from it. 
Hither the reports for the previous years are worth nothing, 
which is most probable, or there was a very sudden decline. 
There is then a marked silence regarding Anthrax—it was 
evidently fairly quiescent. In 1908 it was reported that 
in the previous year eight outbreaks occurred, whilst from 
1909 on the officially recorded figures are :— 
Year. Outbreaks. Year. Outbreaks. 
1909 3 1916 D 
1910 D 1917 2 
1911 4 1918 6 
1912 4 1919 4 
1913 Ee) 1920 8 
1914 8 1921 13 
1915 8 

