546 Report on an Outbreak of Anthrax Fever at Hall Santon. 
of the animals in which the disease had not run its course quite 
so rapidly, extravasations were found into and under the mucous 
membrane, actual hemorrhage having taken place, and the 
intestinal contents being tinged with blood. 
Mr. Gaitskill's breeding flock was divided into two lots, and 
this mortality was confined to one of these, the other portion of 
the flock remaining in perfect health. On inquiry I found that 
both portions of the breeding flock had been fed and managed 
in exactly the same w ay up to a certain date after lambing ; and 
that the portion of the flock in which this outbreak occurred had 
been moved to some fresh pasture, and within a few davs the 
first cases were observed. This pasture land, which I found in 
very bad condition, mostly peaty soil and very imperfectly 
drained, had only recently come into Mr. Gaitskill's possession, 
and had been very much neglected by the previous tenant. 
jNIr. Gaitskill informed me that a somewhat similar mortality 
occurred among sheep on the same pasture last year, previous to 
its coming into his hands ; and likewise that, in the earlier part 
of the present season, he had placed some Irish cattle on it, and 
they had very soon shown signs of illness. 
The above facts are, I think, sufficient to prove that the blood- 
poisoning was connected with the special pasture ; but whether 
the food, the water, or both, were the immediate cause, it would 
be difficult to determine. 
Black Quarter is, I am told, often seen in the district ; and, 
from the peaty nature, low-lying and unimproved condition of 
much of the land, other forms of anthrax are probably not 
uncommon. 
The history and nature of this outbreak, as well as the 
characteristic appearances of the district, correspond verv 
closely to those of some of the invasions of anthrax observed 
in the so-called anthrax districts on the Continent. 
When such virulent forms of disease present themselves, the 
treatment of the affected animals is usually most unsatisfactory, 
and prevention must therefore be chiefly aimed at. 
In the present instance, Mr. Gaitskill had acted very wisely 
in removing the flock from the pasture referred to, as soon as 
the few first lambs had died, to some sound pasture near the 
homestead. In addition to the separation of the diseased from 
the healthy, and the immediate removal of the dead and 
dying from the fields, I recommended small doses of purgative 
medicine where necessary, to be followed up by small diuretic 
doses. 
In reply to a telegram of mine, asking Mr. Gaitskill to place 
all the affected animals under shelter, and to feed them with 
mangolds, 6cc., for a few days, he wrote on the 23rd, stating 
