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ANTHRAX. 



[June 1895. 



ANTHRAX. 



In April last the Board of Agriculture published the following 

 observations, in the form of a leaflet, for the information of 

 stock owners : — 



Anthrax is due to the existence in the blood of a minute rod 

 (bacillus anthracis), which is one of a large family of fungi, and 

 grows from spores or seeds. 



Any substance which is brought on to a farm may act as a 

 carrier of the infecting agent : fodder, litter, manure, whether 

 from home or foreign sources, may contain the spores. A water- 

 course may carry the poison. In fact, the channels through whi<^h 

 the infecting agent may be conveyed to the susceptible animal 

 are beyond calculation. 



Diseased animals do not transmit the infection to others 

 in the ordinary way by association. The organism on which the 

 disease depends must be introduced into the blood through a wound 

 however small, or an abrasion however slight, before the affection 

 can be communicated, and it may be said without exaggeration 

 that the carcase of an animal, dead of anthrax, is more dangerous 

 than a living diseased animal. 



Symptoms and Post-mortem Appearances of Anthrax. 



In most cases, the first sign of an outbreak of anthrax or 

 splenic-fever is the discovery of a dead animal in the pasture or 

 byre. Probably the animal was left a few hours before in 

 apparent health ; at least there was nothing to attract attention, 

 or give any warning of the approaching catastrophe. Occasion- 

 ally, and in the case of sheep not uncommonly, there are certain 

 premonitory symptoms of an attack of anthrax which can be 

 recognised by an expert. The affected animal is dull, and dis- 

 inclined to move. If one of a herd or flock is attacked the fact 

 is indicated by the separation of the sick animal from the rest. 

 Close observation will enable the observer to detect an occasional 

 shiver, which seems to pass rapidly over the body, and then 

 ceases. Sometimes a little blood is discharged from the nose and 

 also with the faeces, while from time to time the animal will cease 

 to feed, and stand with the head bent towards the ground. On 

 closer inspection, especially in the case of swine, it will often be 

 found that there is a good deal of swelling under the throat, 

 extending down the neck ; and the swollen part will at first be 

 tender to the touch, and hot, but as the disease goes on it becomes 

 insensitive, cold, and clammy. The shivering fits now become 

 more frequent, and perhaps, while these signs are being noted, 

 the animal will suddenly roll over on its side, and, after a few 

 violent struggles, expire. 



