ANTHRAX AND ITS PREVENTION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 64

ANTHRAX AND ITS PREVENTION

Recent outbreaks of anthrax' near Colac, in Victoria, and on the New South Wales side of the River .'Murray

at Howlong have directed attention again to this disease, which affects the blood of cattle, horses, sheep, and human beings, and is very malignant. Anthrax is a vegetable bacillus, which multiplies with such marvellous rapidity as quickly to endanger the life of its victim. It may be breathed in with the f air or. (swallowed with food or drink, blit l it is doubtful if it can penetrate through ‘healthy mucous r membranes, and the ordinary method of infection, is through legion or some abrasion of the mucous membrane; presumably more frequently in the intestinal canal of animals. A principal ‘ source of contamination is where the dead bodies of animals dying of the disease have been left above ground or buried so shallow that the germs have come to the surface. The anthrax bacillus can live and germinate oiltside the animal’s body, and while the mature organism cannot withstand .great dryness and summer heat,* the spores can. They thrive best in the summer and autumn months. Any animal ' that dies of the disease should be burned or' buried at least sft under ground, and covered with a good layer of quicklime; at a less distance worms are apt to bring the organism to the surface. Care should be taken that the animal should not be dragged over the ground to place of burial or burning; for as the disease is blood infection, any spilt blood is q probable —practically certain —source «rf further infection. Moist .places and a temperature at about 90 r deg to 95 deg Falir. are most favourable to its development.— ;< Review.”

, Some magnificent specimens of fruit fiprowu in Central Otago have been exhibited in Dunedin this year, one of gpriapes turning the scale at 51b for the branch* ' ,