G. R. VISWANATHAN AND S.V.
AYYAR
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18-6-1944. Fourteen animals were ill for three days from the commencement of the outbreak ; seven
animals showed symptoms after four days ; two animals began to show symptoms after five days,
five animals after a lapse of six days and only one after seven days. Thus it will be seen that most
affected animals showed symptoms after an incubation period of three to four days.
Symptoms. These were similar to those seen in the out breaks recorded by the first author in
1938 and in 1940. One or two cases died suddenly in a peracute form without showing any symptoms,
but in other cases there were definite symptoms. As a rule, in animals, which died suddenly or were
found dead, symptoms were acute and took the form of a septicaemia, accompanied by a sudden
apopletic attack resulting in death in a few minutes after the appearance of the first symptoms. In
most subacute cases, the symptoms consisted of high fever, staring coat, dullness, loss of appetite,
etc. The cattle fell down and died. In one or two instances there were swellings, in one case in the
throat region extending to the dewlap ; in another in the neck extending downwards to the sternum.
It may be remarked that in one cow, which died in village M. in the previous outbreak, swelling was
noticed in the perineal region extending to the udder.
All animals died, if no treatment was given. In a few cases blood was oozing out from the natural
orifices. The duration of the disease was from one to four days. Out of the 24 animals
that died 16 suffered from one to four days, 5 for twelve hours and less, 2 for five days and
only one for six days. Thus in this outbreak, the period of illness ranged from a few hours to six
days.
Duration of the outbreak. The outbreak began on June 18, reached its climax on June 22 and
the last death occurred on June 29. The outbreak thus lasted for 12 days.
Control. The outbreak was controlled by
(a) Disinfection and proper disposal of carcases.
(b) Prophylactic vaccination of the healthy.
(c) Treatment of affected.
(a) Disinfection and proper disposal of carcases
The usual hygienic and disinfectant measures were adopted. Every precaution was taken to
avoid contamination of the stall feeding troughs, water tubs, fodder, grains, etc., from blood or other
fluid excreta from dead animals ; carcases were destroyed by burning. Before the removal of car-
cases, natural orifices were plugged and the whole carcase was covered with disinfectants and then
removed in a cart for disposal. At first, the carcases were cremated, later they were buried at a
depth of six feet with quicklime. The ground area, stalls, etc., were scraped with disinfectants and
then sprinkled with powdered quicklime. Stalls occupied by the affected animals were thoroughly
disinfected. All food and straw that had come in contact with affected animals or carcases or which
was contaminated by their excrements or blood was burnt. The conservancy cart in which the car-
cases were removed, and the manure, etc., were burnt. The whole Depot was thoroughly disinfected.
(b) Prophylactic vaccination of healthy animals
Since anthrax serum failed to protect, anthrax spore vaccination was adopted. This was done
on 21 June, using vaccine prepared at the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute. The dose given
was 1 c.c. subcutaneously on the left side of the neck. In all 51 bovines were treated. Re-
actions were as follows. There was no local reaction except in three cases, where there was oedema
extending to the dewlap. Most vaccinated animals showed no temperature reaction. When present
the temperature reaction was usually noticed between the fourth and tenth day. Of the nine deaths
among the vaccinated animals, five died before the vaccination reaction and of the remaining four,
two were confirmed positive for anthrax and the other two were declared negative. They died of
old age and debility. Thus only two deaths occurred among fifty-one vaccinated animals giving
a mortality of 3.9 per cent. There were no deaths in the Depot after 29 June, i.e., nine days after
vaccination the disease was controlled effectively. In this outbreak, where the cases were declared
positive for anthrax, the premises were more or less isolated. All the healthy stock were vaccinated.
(c) Treatment of affected with novarsenobillon
Hutyra and Marek [1938] state that favourable results may be obtained by symptomatic treat-
ment with camphor, ether, etc. Pande [1937] reported successful treatment of anthrax with camphor,
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