Inter-State Veterinarian from Erie, Kansas • 10

IL. THE lNTEETATO (VETERINARIAN. DECEMBER, 1917 ter, which appears to be "due has succumbed to spoiled or moldy foodstuffs, or of grasses bloody murain. A positive diagnosis be- which are contaminated by parasitic tween the two diseases may be made by growths. The exact cause of this disease is microscopical examination of the blood.

In unknown; but that it is infectious in char- the case of anthrax this will reveal numer- acter there seems to be no doubt. It at- ous straight rods, immobile, with abrupt' tacks cattle and sheep, also hogs, and rarely ends, many of which contain clear round horses. Some of the symptoms of bloody spaces in the structure of the rod, which 1 murrain are similar to those of certain other are known as spores, the rod being termed. diseases, particularly that disease known as the bacillus of anthrax. This bacillus isT 1 JL www 1 VV mistaken, so that a brief comparison be- mals have succumbed to anthrax, and can- I xween tne two will -aouptiess De pi interest not be found in any other disease.

to The ante-mortem symp- Treatment. In bloody murrain, recover- toms of bloody, murrain and anthrax are ies frequently occur, and the disease will very similar, so much so that in certain often yield to treatment, whereas in anthrax cases Ai would be very difficult without a the disease is invariably fatal, no treatmerit post-mortem examination, to determine being of any avail when once the animal is whether the disease were anthrax or bloody attacked. Anthrax generally occurs in cer- murrain. tain districts where the infection is known Post-Mortem Appearances. -In bloody to exist in the soil.

In such localities the If murrain the mucous linings of the stomach disease is liable to break out at any time," are tumified and dotted with red spots, and particularly during the summer months. The blood is dark and pitchy and stains the year. Anthrax can be prevented, V. dark red any of the tissues with which it however, 'by vaccination with Pasteur an- I comes in contact. The liver is enlarged, thrax vaccine.

This vaccine is now success- and provided the disease has run a compar- fully employed in almost all the anthrax in- 3 atively slow course, is found to be very fected localities of the North American con- soft. The flesh is sodden and has an off en- tinent. In respect to bloody murrainthe sive odor. The spleen, however, is not sp op- exact cause of the disease has not been die- preciably affected, termined. It cannot be prevented by vac- In anthrax the post-mortem will reveal cination, as no vaccine has so far been dis- effusions of blood immediately beneath the covered for it; but, as already stated, it skin.

The blood is black in color, does not wil1 yield to rational treatment. clot or coagulate, and remains black on ex- The removal of the stock to fresh pastures posure to the air. The linings of the chest and the separation of the well from the sick and abdominal cavities are dotted wih red animals will almost invariably stop the fur- spots. These spots are particularly notice- ther sPread of bloody murrain, but anthrax able on the capsules of the kidneys, liver infection may be carried from place to and heart. The spleen, however, is the place and for.

long distances. organ in which the most decided changes HB are marked, and an examination of which DRUG SUBSTITUTES AMD PEDDLERS. will, clearly denote the difference between The evils of substitution have reached a anthrax and bloody murrain. In anthrax point that may justly be called appalling in this organ is swollen from three to five the absolutely conscienceless manner of the times its natural size the capsule covering exploiting of, retail pharmacist and dispens- 1 it is' loosened and distended by extravasaed ing veterinarian alike. The veterinary suf- it is loosened and distended by extravasated fers in reputaton and pocket more than the I blood.

The pulp is softened, and retailer, 'for he is unfamiliar with market I dark red in color. Then again the lungs quotations and lacks the -business instinct are congested and dropsical, which is riot which arouse his suspicions at unus-.