ANTHRAX.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 147, 25 September 1895, Page 3

ANTHRAX.

1 (GurTEHßtriiY Times.) The farm at Ohaupo ("Waikato), on [ which the outbreak of anthrax occurred, has been isolated, and so far no further cases have boon reported. It is scaicely probable that the origin of the disease will be discovered—the suggestion that it was introduced in artificial manure imported from Sydney cannot be accepted, as manures are treated at so high a temperature that bacilli are completely destroyed. Yet anthrax is only communicable by direct contact with the virus of the disease, either in the remains of an animal which has died of the disease or through the medium of contaminated fodder, water or earth, and it should not be impossible to trace the cause of the Ohaupo outbreak to its source. The most authoritative particulars yet published of the prevention and treatment of anthrax ap peared in the Canterbury Times of June 27th, aud may now be supplemented by a few general remarks dictated by iqually high authority, i'hough there are other causes than anthrax from which animals die suddenly, they are very rare and can ' generally bo accounted for. Stockowners, therefore, are advised that the only sal'o course is to treat every case of sudden death from an uuaseortaiuable cause as one of anthrax, and bury the body where it was found, without cutting, skinning, or even shearing it. A dead sheep will contain enough micro-organisms to infect the whole country, but the anthrax organisms soon die it confined within the carcase, deprived of air. If a professional opinion is desired it will be sufficient to cut off one tar and forward it to th« veterinary surgeou for microscopic examination. A scrutiny of the internal organs will disclose nothing more thau a drop of blood from the ear wi'l tell under the microscope, while opening the carcase will admit the air and bring innumerable bacilli into life for an indefinite period, causing, probably, repeated outbreaks of the disease.