Anthrax

an infectious disease prevalent chiefly among cattle, sheep, and other grazing animals. The horse and deer are also attacked, as well as the goat, the hog, and the guinea pig. It is held that all warm blooded animals, whether flesh-eaters, or herb-eaters, are subject to the disease. Flesh-eating animals, however, are not so likely to take it, and it is held by some authorities that birds are immune. The disease is of an epizoic nature. It is also known as bloody murrain and wool sorter's disease. It is due to one of the rod-shaped bacteria. The germ is one of the largest. It has been known since 1849, and was one of the forms studied by Dr. Koch in his famous investigation of bacteria as the cause of contagious disease. It is very difficult to kill the germs either by drying or by boiling. Domestic animals have been known to acquire anthrax by grazing above the spots where animals dying of the disease had been buried three years before.

There are various methods of infection. Dr. James Law holds that in "cattle the infection seems to be largely through the alimentary canal; in horses and sheep by the skin or digestive tract; in men through wounds of the skin and the respiratory tract. Although these are the usual methods there are many exceptions." Tanners and wool sorters run a chance of contagion by handling the hides and wool of diseased animals. In the case of persons, the disease gives rise to malignant pustules and carbuncles, but it is not likely to prove fatal. In the case of farm animals, the progress of the disease is characterized by pustules, bloating, settling of blood, dropsy, and fever. The animals "go crazy" and tear around, finally going into convulsions, followed by stupor and death.

Geographically anthrax is widespread. It causes great loss. The disease breaks out sporadically. It seldom sweeps a section of country. An animal that dies of the infection should be burned, if possible; otherwise Dr. Law recommends that it be thrown into a deep pit and covered with quicklime. Until precautions have been taken, no other animals should be allowed to enter a stable or pasture where a case of the disease has been known. All parts of the premises likely to be infected with the germs should be washed with corrosive sublimate or some other disinfectant. Water charged with the sublimate may be applied to woodwork with a broom. Pasteur has suggested that inoculation be practiced with bacteria culture grown at a high temperature. Under these conditions the bacteria produced lack vigor, and yet when injected into the system, they induce sufficient anti-bacterial action to render an animal immune, at least temporarily.