206 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JouRNAL. [1 Mar., 1899. 
attenuated till it ceases to be dangerous even to that most susceptible of all 
experimental animals, the domestic mouse. Prompted by the result of these 
discoveries, Pasteur then attempted with success to use the attenuated bacillis 
of anthrax for protective inoculation against the virulent bacillus. He was able 
to show that if an animal is inoculated with the bacillus attenuated to the 
degree requisite for it—that is, for that species of animal—it either does not 
sicken, or it sickens slightly and recovers from the disease. It resists then the 
infection with less attenuated bacilli, and after the next inoculation it resists 
the bacilli which possesses the highest degree of virulence. Pasteur did not 
delay in making this brillant laboratory achievement available for practical 
application. The first great experiment with this attenuated virus outside the 
* laboratory is particularly noteworthy, and of such historical interest that I 
cannot retrain from giving a brief account of it. 
On the 5th of May, 1881, Pasteur obtained 24 sheep, 1 goat, and 6 cows 
{all of which are peculiarly susceptible to anthrax), and inoculated them with 
the fully attenuated virus, and twelve days later they were again inoculated 
with a rather less attenuated, or rather stronger, virus. On the 31st of May 
all these inoculated animals, as well as 24 sheep, 1 goat, and 4 cows not 
previously inoculated, received severally an injection of virulent blood from 
an animal recently dead of anthrax. On the 2nd of June, three days later, 21 
sheep and the goat which had not been protectively inoculated were dead, 2 
other sheep were dying, and the last one was attacked later in the day, whilst 
not one of the previously inoculated animals was affected. 
It is difficult for anyone not engaged in scientific pursuits to fully realise 
how the triumph of that moment must have rewarded the years of patient and 
persevering labour of the seeker after truth. The value of Pasteur’s system 
of protective inoculation for anthrax was not long in being recognised, and in 
a few years gained a foothold in different countries throughout the world where 
the disease is endemic. 
In 1889 Pasteur’s representatives, Dr. Germont and M. Loir, gave a 
practical demonstration of the efficacy of Pasteur’s perfected system before a 
specially appointed committee at Junee, in New South Wales. On the 3rd of 
September, 20 sheep and 4 cattle were inoculated with the first vaccine, and on 
the 18th they were all inoculated with the second vaccine. On the 2nd of 
October all these vaccinated animals and 19 sheep and 2 cattle (not previously 
inoculated) were inoculated with blood obtained from a sheep just dead of 
virulent anthrax, with the result that all of the 19 sheep and 1 of the 2 cows 
died, while not one of the 20 sheep and 4: cattle showed even the slightest signs 
of sickness. So successful was this demonstration considered by the committee 
that they recommended its general adoption to stockowners throughout the 
colony. Since that time hundreds of thousands of sheep have been vaccinated 
annually. 
Tn concluding these remarks on anthrax, I must ask you to bear in mind 
that this marvellous discovery of M. Pasteur, from which stockowners 
throughout the world have so much benefit, was originally the outcome of 
microscopical investigation; in fact, even at the present time the preparation 
of anthrax vaccine cannot be conducted on a reliable scientific basis without 
the assistance of the microscope. 
TETANUS. 
Tetanus has long been known as a communicable disease of man, and 
especially the lower animals, characterised by spasmodic contraction of the 
muscles, commencing near the seat of inoculation and gradually extending to 
all parts of the body. It is more commonly the result of some abrasion of the 
skin, especially after wounds produced by old rusty nails or splinters of wood 
contaminated with earth or dust, and before the days of antiseptic’ surgery 
frequently followed surgical operations. Carle and Rattone, in 1884, were the 
first to prove that the disease could be communicated from man to animals by 
inoculating twelve rabbits with pus, of which eleven died from tetanus. In 
