RESUMED STUDY IN ANTHRAX. 
389 
to ignore entirely the virulent action at a distance, though it is 
rare and its radius of power very limited. In the point of view 
of medical police, it imports little that the fault be of a physical, 
chemical or biological order. Its possibility alone is sufficient to 
insure its consideration. 
V.—Medical Police. 
The true prophylaxy of anthrax consists in the improvement 
of the soil of the countries where the disease exists; of the car- 
buncular districts of Roll.; also in the ameliorations of the cul¬ 
tures which are placed in them. By draining and the free use 
of lime, these soils are rendered first, unfavorable media to their 
conservation, and improved moreover for the growth of plants 
upon which the mucedinse live. 
In the carbuncular districts, inoculation by the mode of Pro¬ 
fessor Toussaint, ought to be strongly recommended,* if, however, 
it realizes in practice the results obtained in the laboratory. 
The proper method of preventing the spreading of the disease 
and the multiplication of the germs are: quarantine ; slaughter 
of the sick animals; destruction of the cadavers and beddings 
and disinfection of places frequented or occupied by contaminated 
animals. Let us glance at each of these. 
Quarantine. —The sequestration must be enforced. The sick 
must literally be kept in confinement and isolation. 
If it is a flock of sheep, out of which several are already 
affected, the others must be severely separated. An excellent 
practice in this case, when possible, is to remove the healthy to 
another pasture, or better, to have them emigrate. These measures 
are often sufficient to check the appearance of new cases. 
Slaughter. —The royal decree of 1854 gave an indemnity for 
animals killed because of anything, when the slaughter was found 
necessary. Another decree of 1868 removed this indemnity. 
Was it proper? The question can be discussed. It is evident 
. * This learned professor has inoculated sheep with fibrinated carbunculous 
blood, exposed to a temperature of 55° C. By this means he has given immuni¬ 
ty to animals against that disease, 
