Middletown transcript., 1901-07-27
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES FOR THE CON.
TR0L OF ANTHRAX

has been favorable for the development
of anthrax. Cases of it have already
made their appearance upon several in
fected properties where unvaccinated
cattle have been pastured. 1t is desirable
therefore that the provisions in force in
this State for the control of this disease
should be widely published.
A decade of experimentation and OF
investigation at the Delaware College
Experiment Station has demonstrated
that anthrax in its most virulent form
exists here; that fresh importations of it
are made frequently in goat skins used in
morocco manufacture; that in more than
9S cases in each 100, properly vaccinated
animals are immune; and that the cost of
vaccinating muture horses and horned
stock need not exceed so cents per head.
In cases of sudden deaths among do
mesticated animals on exposed properties,
correct diagnosis of the cause, and the
cremation of the carcass is imperative
Provision is made, therefore, in Chapter
461, vol. 20, Laws of Delaware:
Section l. That section two of chap
ter $50, volume IL, Laws of Delaware, be
and the same is hereby amended by add
ing to said section the following, to wit:
If any person, being the owner of any
domestic animal which has died from An
thrax, and who shall Immediately after
the death of any such animal cremate the
carcass of the same, shall within ten
days make the death of said animal
known to the Governor, he shall be paid
by the State Treasurer, upon the war;
rant of the Governor, for each animal
that has SO died, the sum hereinafter
mentioned, to-wit: In the case of horned
cattle, horses and mules, the sum of
eight dollars; in the case of swine, the
sum of two dollars; in the case of sheep,
the sum of one dollar; provided, that the
owner of said dead animal shall first se-
cure certificate of death of such animal
by Anthrax from the Delaware College
Agricultural Experiment Station, or in
such other manner as the Governor may
Direct"
As the first death in herd makes it
probable that cause exists which may
be difficult to discover at once, it follows
that the vaccination of all exposed stock
should be practiced Immediately. Au-
thority to act in this event is also vested
in the Governor of the State by Chap.
$50. 20, Laws of Delaware;
Section 1. That the following be ad- |
ded to chapter 636, volume 10, Laws of |
Delaware, as section 10 of said chapter,
.o-wit:
''That, whenever the Governor shall |
receive reliable information that the con-
.agious disease known as Anthrax exists, |
ne is hereby authorized, at his discretion,
lpon the request of the owner of such
domestic animals as are exposed to said
contagious disease, to order the same vac
,inated by skilled persons with Pasteur
provided, the owner of said
domestic animals assumes the risk of
whatever losses may result therefrom.
The Governor is hereby authorized to
lraw his warrant upon the fund appro-
'riated by section 8 of this act hereby
for the purpose of defraying
he expenses incurred in vaccinating as
foresaid.
The peculiarly of each of these enact
nents is that the good will and hearty
of the loser may be assumed
y State officials entrusted with the work
t combating epidemics. This assump-
ion has been found quite correct in
very epidemic handled by Station off
ials, excepting only the first, where un-
ue publicity excited public alarm and
ycluded perfectly healthful and proper
roduce from markets. In such cases Sc
'ecy is practiced. Carcasses are con-
ealed and the epidemic continues after :
fficials believe that it is under control. ,
there mistakes of this kind have been !.
ade or where for and other reason, >
sers decline to operate with officials, de-
inc to cremate their dead, insist upon i,
le transfer of exposed animals and :
lereby jeopardizing the live stock and 7
nded interests of the community, then =
lief must be sought in Chap. $50, vol. +
!, Laws of Delaware.
Section 1. That in order to protect the =
res and property of citizens of Dela-
are when threatened by epidemic of
ntagious and infectious disease among j,
e lower animals, authority is hereby i
sted in the Governor of this State to j
ue his proclamation stating that an in h
;tious or contagious disease exists in :.
y comfy or geographical district of the
ate, and warning all persons to seclude, .,
the premises where they may be at :,
e time, all animals within the quaran- .,
led district that are of kind suscep- h
'le to contract the disease in question,
d ordering all persons to take such pre- 8.
ltions against the spread of such dis =,
Sc as the nature thereof may in his :,
igment render necessary or expedient. 10
Sec. 2. To call upon all sheriffs and 90
putty sheriffs to carry out and enforce - -
2 provisions of such proclamations,
lers and regulations; and it shall be the :. -
ty of all sheriffs to obey and observe a.,
orders and instructions which they w
y receive from the Governor in the ~
,mises.
'ec. 8. To employ such and SO many w. w.
dical and veterinary practitioners and -
ID other persons as he may from time
time deem necessary to assist in per- -
ming his duties, as set forth IN the =. Z.
It section of this act, and to fix their ~
npensation. -
ec. z. To take such action in regard ~t'
exposed carcasses, bones, etc., and to -
yes of lower animals known to have y"
d from diseases directly communicable "
! fatal form to man as he, after consul %
on with well informed persons, may 'H'
m to be expedient.