Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-01
ANTHRAX OR BLACK LEG.


ANTHRAX OR BLACK LEG.
The following by Mr.. Roy Powers
state veterinarian, Is published in tine
hope that 1t may prove of interest and
value to cattle owners:
Outbreaks of symptomatic anthrax
(black leg) have recently occurred
among herds of cattle in York and
Chester counties. This disease may
develop at any season Of the year, but
most of the cases reported for the past
few years have occurred in the spring
Young cattle, between six months and
eighteen months Of age, are most fire.
quently affected, although older cattle
may, in very rare cases, contract the
disease.
This disease, which usually termi-
mates fatally within a few hours after
the appearance Of the first symptoms
Is caused by micro organisms which
gain entrance to the body through
small wounds Of the skin. Large
wounds are not favorable for the
growth and multiplication Of these mi
cro-organisms because these cannot
develop in the presence Of oxygen, but
smaller wounds (such as might be
caused by briers, stubble, thorns, etc.
offer ideal conditions for the entrance
and growth Of the germs. Infection
through the digestive tract is highly
improbable as experiments have shown
that cattle may consume large quanti-
ties Of virulent material without devel-
oping this disease.
The symptoms of the disease are
characteristic and therefore it is easily
recognized. The first symptom usually
shown Is a swelling under the skin
which, when pressed, gives forth a
cracking sound due to the formation
of gas in the diseased tissues. These
swellings, which may occur in any por-
tion Of the body, Except on the tail or
below the knee and pook joints) are
cool and painless and the skin over
them has a dry, lfeless appearance
II incised, the tissues beneath are
found greatly discolored and filled with
bloody liquid. Many persons consid-
er this condition due to a blow or 9TH
er injury and do not recognize the dam
gerous character Of the disease. Other
symptoms are-high fever, loss of ap-
petite, quickened respiration-difficu
and slow movements Of the body and
great depression. After death decompo-
sition takes place rapidly. The blood in
NAL condition and coagulates readily.
The liver appears congested, but the
spleen Is normal. The intestinal mu-
cous membrance Is sometimes highly in
famed and the intestines may contain
blood. The abdominal cavity may also
contain a bloody fluid in some in
stances.
Owing to the danger Of spreading in
fection these swellings beneath the
skin should not be opened in the sta
bles or pastures, neither should post
mortem examinations be held where
other animals may come in contact
with the germs of the disease.
After the disease Is recognized 1t is
not advisable to make post -mortem
examinations nor to attempt surgical
treatment owing to the fact that the
spores of these germs retain their vir-
ulence for years outside the body and
consequently cause outbreaks Of the
disease during following seasons.
For this reason great care should
also be exercised in the disposal of
dead animals. Cremation is the only
safe method Of disposins Of these car
casses and may be accomplished in the
following manner: shallow trench
should be dug and green logs laid
across this The carcasses can then be
placed on these logs and covered with
wood. A few quarts Of kerosene should
be poured over this and the entire car
cass cremated Where wood Is scarce
and this cannot be done, the carcass
should be buried to the depth Of six
feet and we'll covered with lime. The
surface of the grave and the ground
on which the carcass lay should be
thoroughly dslnfected. The stable
should also be disinfected and all bed
ding burned. 1t Is also advisable to
burn over pastures, in which animals
have died from the disease, If this Is
possible. The treatment Of affected
animals Is very unsatisfactory owing
to tine fact that the disease is so quick
ly fatal Every effort should be direct
ed towards preventing it's spread, rath-
er than attempt to cure animals al
ready affected.
When an outbreak occurs, all cattle
between six months and two years OF
age, should be moved to other pastures,
where they can be kept until Vaccinat-
ed. AS calves under six months OF
age, and cattle over six years old are
very rarely affected, 1t Is only neces-
sary to vaccinate those between these
limits. In localities where the disease
appears, each year all susceptible cat
tie should be vaccinated before the
black leg season" This vaccination
should be done by veterinarians, but
when black leg appears in localities
where there are no competent veter-
inarians, cattle owners can secure vac
cine by addressing the state veterina-
rian, Clemson College, S. c. This vac
cine will be furnished in such in
stances. free Of charge, but it will be
necessary for cattle owners to purchase
a hypodermic syringe from their drug
gist or from some instrument dealer.
Full directions for vaccnating cattle
will be forwarded with the vaccine. AS
it Is safer and more satisfactory to
have this vaccination performed by
qualified veterinarian, 1t has been de-
cided to furnish this vaccine only to
those who live in localities where the
services Of sucn cannot be secured.