Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
British Remounts Poisoned at
Chalmette Camp.
OF MULETEERS
DISEASES CARRIED TO SOUTH
AFRICA BY THEM.
Virus for the Infection Said to Have
Been Obtained in Phila-
delphia.

NEW ORLEANS. June 21.-It has de-
veloped about the boarding houses where
the sailors and muleteers were recruit ed Cor
the British during the South African war.
according to a story printed here today in
the States, that the diseases now raging in
South Africa among the live stock there
are due to NEGOTIATIONS made in this port
by Boer sympathizers and disgruntled mule
teers playing even with the British.
1t is said that the virus used was secured
from a Philadelphia chemist and that 1t
consisted mostly of Charlton and CHAMBERS.
1t Is also stated now that the British sus-
pected that this crime was being constant
ly committed and for that reason removed
their headquarters from this city to Mon
treal. The NEGOTIATIONS. 1t is stated, were
also made in Lathrop, Mo- so that 1t was
necessary to break up that camp as well.
The British are now retaliating. so 1t is
intimated. by refusing entrance of Louisi-
ana cattle in South Africa.
The "charbon'' referred to is known in
English anthrax" and is acute. in
fectious disease caused by specific micro
organism known as bacillus anthracis."
1t is also known as ''splenic fever in its
external manifestations as malignant pos
tule" and sometimes incorrectly as ''malig-
rant oedema." What is known colloquially
as 'Wool-sorters' disease is the same.
Anthrax is especially interesting the
first disease in which the causation by bac-
terra was demonstrated. 1t affects particu-
larly all grazing animals. cattle and sheep
being peculiarly susceptible. In Russia
these last named animals have suffered so
widely from anthrax that the malady Is
known as the Siberian plague. In the
United States it is comparatively rare.
When infected by the genus of bacteria
indicated the blood Of animals turns black
whence the French name Charlton" or
"black." There is comparatively little
pain, but the disease is often fatal, and
runs it's course in the small space Of three
or five days. In non-fatal cases 1t often
lasts longer The constitutional symptoms
are chill fever and collapse.
Chambers Very Contagious.
"Glanders' Is a dangerous and very con-
tagious disease communicable to man and
to other animals. Cattle. however. are pc
cularly exempt This disease Is also
caused by a specific bacillus, and is char
acterzed by inf1amed state of the nasal
mucous membrane, upon which cancer
like sores appear and discharge a viscd
humor The Emphatic glands are sec
ondariIy affected.
When the swelling of the lymphatics APP
pears to supersede or exceed in import
ance the nasal affection. the disease is
called farcy. Four types of the disease
are recognized. but even in its mildest
form farcy is rarely cured While known
to last in certain cases nearly a year,
CHAMBERS farcy has proven fatal to
man in less than week. The veterinary
practice Is to kill every glandered or
farcybudded horse at once. except when
the animal is reserved for experimental
treatment.
Either disease in camp, especially in a
camp Of cavalry troops or mounted infan-
try. excites the greatest alarm. Both
spread rapidly and both are speedily fatal
to horses. so that command well mounted
at the beginning of a march may be en-
tirely disabled within a week