ANTHRAX IN NATAL. 
211 
ting that the brain is affected. This arises from two causes, which 
may act independently, but almost invariably act together—that 
is, the impure condition of the blood acting upon the brain and 
nervous system, and the disordered state of the stomach and 
bowels, which, combined, give rise either to “ mad-staggers,” or to 
that half-insensible and weak, staggering condition so frequently 
seen. 
In many cases there are symptoms of colic, shown by the un¬ 
easiness, pawing, lying down and looking back at the flanks. As 
a rule, the pulse is quick, the mouth and skin hot, and the latter 
sometimes harsh and dry. Sometimes the urine passed is very 
scanty, at others, copious. Again, it varies in appearance and con¬ 
sistency ; at one time scarcely changed, at another high-colored 
only, then more like beer, and sometimes quite bloody. 
The state of the bowels varies considerably. In 1879 diar¬ 
rhoea was usually present, but ordinarily it is not, and in most 
instances there is a tendency to constipation. I have often seen a 
remarkably relaxed condition of the anus, and noticed that the 
lining membrane of the rectum was of a deep mulberry color. 
As results of this disease, I have frequently had to contend 
with laminitis (fever in the feet), and on several occasions with mild 
attacks of lockjaw, paralysis of the lips, abscesses, or some other 
complications due to functional derangements and the impure state 
of the blood ; and, lastly, with the development of symptoms 
identifying it with “ horsesickness.” 
I have entered into a fuller description of the symptoms and 
post mortem appearances of this form than of the others, partly 
because it has not been brought to public notice before, and also 
because horsesickness has been described by myself and others in 
previous reports, and is more familiar to the public. 
Horse-sickness .—Many of the symptoms already described be¬ 
long to this form also, and it has been noted by myself and others 
—specially Inspecting Veterinary Surgeon Duck, of the Army 
Veterinary Department—that the fever described above has de¬ 
veloped into well-marked cases of horse-sickness. 
Besides these, however, we have the quick, distressed breath¬ 
ing, indicative of inflammation of the lungs, and the discharge of 
