198 
T. W. WATSON. 
report stated that in their examination they could discover no 
traces of anthrax, but on the whole their report was quite un¬ 
satisfactory, and I understand that other specimens have been 
sent to the Bureau since with about the same results. There is 
no doubt but that it is caused by a vegetable poison taken into 
the system through the mouth. The agent establishes itself in 
the blood, which seems to be its habitat, and causes destruction 
of the red blood corpuscles. Although I have given the disease 
considerable attention, I am not prepared to say positively 
whether or not it is contracted solely in the pasture, as I have 
seen it developed both in the pasture and in the stable, also on 
hi o-h and low land. Yet I am inclined to believe that it is con- 
o 
tracted in the pasture and lies dormant in the system, only de¬ 
veloping after a period of latency, when the system is in proper 
condition for its development. 
Treatment .—The treatment of this disease has not been very 
satisfactory. Almost everything has been given in the way of 
medicine, but without availing but little, and I think, we are as 
much at sea to-day as when the disease first made its appearance. 
In my own experiments with the disease I have felt quite 
certain that I had found the right agent that would combat the 
ravages of the malady, but if successful in one case the result 
would be just the reverse in the next. About the only thing I 
would recommend in the way of medicine is heart stimulants 
and general tonics, and I think some good antiseptic, such as 
carbolic or boracic acid, would be worthy a trial. 
The treatment has been so unsuccessful that the people have 
become discouraged and the majority have concluded to let 
them take their chances rather than go to the expense of treat¬ 
ing them. Owing to the disease visiting only large herds, the 
loss has been confined to a few, mostly lumbermen. The num¬ 
ber of horses lost will not exceed fifty per cent, of the reports 
circulated last fall. 
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