Smyrna times., 1892-09-07
ANTHRAX.
THE VIRULENT DISEASE RAGING IN
THE VICINITY OF NEWPORT. DEL.

- INUL LENT DISEASE RAGING N
THE VICINITY OF NEWPORT. DEL.
Anthrax has appeared among the
caItle IN the vicinity of Newport Del
and great apprehensions are felt lest
the disease should become established
ana should be followed by terrible
Already total % cattle and two
valuable horses are lost, and the lives
OF three men are endangered.
DR.. Gresky, of the University of
pennsylvania, is investigating the case
ana immediate steps will be taken
toward stamping out the disease. The
doctor said
1T will not do to halt on account of
expenditure, as false economy NAV
cause loss Of many thousands of dol
Iars TO New Castle county farmers.
Ihe worst feature of TIE disease Is
Ihat II Is carried from one year to the
other by the spores of the disease
germs remaining in the soil around
Where the animal died, even through
the coldest months. The spores resist
neat or cold to an extreme deuree
Warm, dry weather promotes the
growth OF the germ. In cold weather
the spores are dormant. Immediately
on change of temperature they pron.
agate POP
lear that the disease may be es
ttaollshed here, and that it will be fol.
lowed by an epidemic Precautions
would then be too late. Action shonId
be taken Immediately; otherwise there
Is probability OF great pecuniary loss
70 the farmers and horse owners Of this
region" 80
A special meeting of the Farmers
Institute was held in Newport on
Thursday afternoon, for the purpose
OF considering the alarming spread ofI
the disease.
DR.. PiersOn said:
lhey are minute oval bodies. which
form inside the bacillus and lie dor.
mant for months.
These germs are carried sometimes
by diseased animal or bv healthy
animal IN numerous ways. Some Of
the ways are COW buried in shallow
grave. Dogs or other animals mioht
mix the earth covering with the blood
dung or decayed flesh, or uncover the
carcass. Not less than six feet of earth
should cover the dead animal.
IF the dead animal is left on tho |
surface or thrown into a stream of
water, the danger is increased more
than hundred fold. The wind NAV |
carry bacilli by blowing dust. Ropes. |
clothes, and especially boots or anv-
thing in contact with the dead animal
can carry the disease.
A lily bite has often communicated II.
Hide, hair and wool will carry it. DR.
Pierson illustrated by charts, showing
the bacillus and its process of growth,
he exhibited a culture of the germ in
blood and in milk by glass tubes.
Dr' ID. I. Ewes spoke of symptoms.
A horse eating his morning feed, be.
comes so suddenly sick that his own.
er thinks he has been poisoned. In
some cases death may follow in two
hours. Death generally occurs in
about 24 hours. Excitement and
symptoms of abdominal pain appear.
The temperature will be normal or ,
below. The general symptoms resem-
Die sun.stroke.
The animals or herds should be
solated and carefully guarded. Vac
'lhatlon IS the only remedy vet pro- |
posed. 1t has been successful in !
france, in some cases saving life.
Vaccinated cattle have recovered after {
mild form of the disease. 5
1t is so dangerously contagious that t
nclneration is recommended. The I
lext best thing is deep and immediate {
burial. The grave should be on high 3
ground, away from water courses. and |
IS deep as possible without striking
water. Fences should be built around G
he graves, and the vegetation which :
rows above them should be DESTROYED ! f
ntirely. .
Cold weather will probably put a t
top to the disease in this community t
Yet extreme cold does not kill the
erms in the carcass. Cremation is the C
My sure remedy. The doctor gave a {
of the German laws on Il
nthrax. u
A committee of five, viz, DIR. ]. J. e
Ilack, Thomas Holoomh, Edward d
David J. Murphy and Joseph
V. II. Watson was appointed to rec s.
mmend legislation, +,