The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1901-10-24
AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO AGRI-
CULTURISTS.
some Up-to-Date Hints About CuIti-
walton Of the Soil and Yields
Observation-Disclosures, viticu1ture and
Horticulture.
Anthrax.


The recent outbreak of anthrax or
Charlton lear Palatine, Ill.,, has di-
rected wide attention to the disease,
seeing that it proved not only fatal to
cattle attacked, but to at least one man
in attendance upon the bovine VIC
tins. Some particulars about the dis
ease will prove of interest to u a
ers, as there is quite a misunderstand-
ing of the difference between anthrax
and the more common disease OF
young cattle known as BLACK leg" In
this department OF the paper we have
taken pains to impress upon the minds
Of stockmen the necessity of keeping
cattle away from stagnant water in
ponds or sloughs and even from run
ming rivers or creeks. The import
ance of this %precaution will be the bet
ter understood when 1t Is stated that
most cases of anthrax are found where
cattle have been so exposed to the rod
like, microscopic organism to winch
the disease is due. The bacillus as
it is called, is found in such places. IL
either originates there or is brought
there by water coming from a place
where a dead anthrax animal has been
cast. For the latter reason it should
be made a misdemeanor punishable py
fine or Imprisonment for anyone TO
throw a dead animal into a running
stream or drinking place. In Iowa a
bad outbreak of the disease was traced
at once to a pond into which a dead
anthrax animal had been cast ana at
which a large herd Of cattle too
drinking water daily. The disease
properly called anthrax occurs In dill
ferent forms. In some cases there are
diffuse swellings seen about the head
and neck and when pressed these
swellings are found to be solid n DO
not contain gas. On cutting into them
there is found a yellowish, Jelly-llKe
mass, more or less stained with blood.
In other cases the animal dies almost
Immediately from a form of apoplexy
and discharges stained with Dlooo
come away from the natural orihces OF
the body. The body bloats and decom-
poses at once. This form is not SO
common as the other. In a third form
the disease is subacute and the victim
may live for five to seven days. In
the form characterized by external
swellings the animal dies in from one
; to two days. In man the disease usu-
ally takes the form of malignant pus'
tule" or carbuncle and is contracted
5 through a wound or abrasure OF the
skin when a person skins an ANNA
dead oil anthrax. The disease may also
be carried in the same form to man by
insects and it is probable that files are
the means of spreading the disease tc
other animals when dead bodies are
left to decompose in the open air. Ii
this way anthrax may be spread tt
sheen and horses. Swine and dogs are
largely immune from the disease
From what has been said 1t will bt
seer that it is very important to de
stroy the carcase of an anthrax victim
so that the disease may not be spread
by this means. The best way to ge
rid OF the carcase is to totally destro,
it by fire, but if this cannot be don
it should be buried deeply In qulcl
lime. 1t is not enough to bury 1t deep
ly. for Darwin has shown that cart
worms may bring the spores OF the dis
ease to the surface, where they may b
taken into the systems Of cattle pas
turing over the graves and aga1l
cause the disease. When an anthra
victim is opened the spleen is Away
found to be greatly enlarged and file
with tar-like matter; the blood is dar
and Ices not coagulate; the mucou
membranes of the chest and abdomina
cavities are covered with dark re
spots and blood-stained discharges is
sue from the natural oritices of til
body. When an animal is attacke
~ with black leg the disease is character
Al lied by external swellings, which ar
# found to be filled with gas, whic
makes the swellings give out a cracl
ling sound when handled. After deaf
the spleen is found to be unchange
and the blood coagulates and turns re
on exposure to the air. Blackleg doc
not attack animals other than youn
% cattle. Cattle may be safely inocl
er lated against blackleg and with son
K degree of success against anthrax. ]
IS. case of an outbreak of anthrax Gait
to should be changed to a fresh pastul
n away from stagnant water. Disinfec
b., ants (such as the tar product dist
ey fectants advertised in this pape
In should be freely used around tt
g, buildings and for washing the hand
Id Dead animals should be destroyed al
ir not skinned. Cases should not