50 MAX HENRY, 
Seasonal Incidence. 
Itis not infrequently asserted that wet periods are favour- 
able to the occurrence of Anthrax, and dry periods un- 
favourable, and Norris giving evidence before the Depart- 
mental Committee, asserted that “‘in Australia the evidence 
of Anthrax is greatest in the late spring and early summer 
which would be relatively wet seasons.”’ 
In other countries, notably England, this is not held to 
be the case; Stockman holding the view that there is no 
seasonal difference. Stockman is however, dealing in 
England with a totally different set of conditions, to those 
holding sway in Australia. However, he asserts that 
French and South African statistics bear out his view, but 
he admits that in Russia cases rise enormously in the 
summer. 
Stockman’s assertion re Anthrax in South Africa is 
evidently not concurred in by Kehoe (Anthrax in South 
Africa 5th and 6th Reports of the Director of Veterinary 
Research) who regards the disease as more prevalent from 
December to April than at other seasons, thus bringing 
the seasonal incidence in South Africa in a line with the 
period of the maximum of occurrence here as will be noted 
later. 
A review of our records in New South ane supports 
the view that the seasonal incidence is marked, but does not 
fully bear out Norris’ dictum that most cases occur in 
spring and early Summer. 
During the period 1909 — 1921, out of 80 outbreaks which 
are regarded as being without doubt Anthrax, and of which 
actual dates are known, the numbers vanes = in each 
month of the year were as follows:— 
January 19 July 0 
February 12 , August 1 
March 8 - September 0 
April 6 October 8 
May 1 November 11 
June 2 December 12 

