The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-05
NEW CATTLE DISEASE.
Outbreak of SymptOmatic Anthrax
tbiack LeS) Have Recently Oc-
CARED Among Herds Of Cattle i'm
This State. According to Author
ticH.

Outhearks of Symptomatic Anthrax
(BIa"k Leg have recently occurred
among herds of cattle in York and
Chester counties. This disease NAV
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
SIN months of age, are most frequent
ly affected although older cattle may,
in very rare cases, contract the dis
ease.
This disease, which usually ter
inmates fatally within a few hours
after the appearance Of the first
symptoms, is caused by micro or
ganisms which gain entrance to the
body through small wounds of the
skin. Large wounds are not favor
able for the growth and multiplica-
ton of these micro organisms be-
cause 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 grms. Infection
through the digestive tract is high
ly improbable as experiments have
shown that cattle may consume large
quantities of virulent material with
out developing this disease.
The symptoms OF the disease are
characteristic and therefore it is
easily recognized. The first symp-
tom 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 portion of the body, (ex-
cept on the tail or below the knee
and peek joints) are cool and painless
and the skin over them has a dry,
lifeless appearance. If incised, the
tissues beneath are found greatly dis
colored and filled with bloody liquid
Many persons consider this condition
due to a blow or other injury and do
not recognize the dangerous character
Of the disease. Other symptoms are:
High fever, loss of appetite, quicken
ed espiration-difficult and slow
movements of the body and great de-
preston. After death decomposition
takes place very rapidly. The blood
Is found in apparently normal con-
dition and coagulates rapidly. The
liver appears contested, but the spleen
is normal. The intestinal mucous
membrane is sometimes highly in
famed and the intestines may contain
blood. The abdominal cavity may
with wood. A few quarts of kerosine
should be poured over this and the
entire carcass 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 disinfected. The
stable should also be disinfected and
all bedding burned. 1t is also advis-.
able to burn over the pastures, in
which animals have died from the
disease, if this is possible. The treat
,n,,t Df
satisfactory owing to the fact that
the disease is so quickly fatal Every
effort should be directed towards pre-
ventig its spread rather than attempt
to cure animals already 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 vaccina-
ted. AS calves under six months old
are very rarely affected it is only nee
essary to vaccinate those between
also contain a bloody fluid in some
instances.
Owing to the danger of spreading
infection these swellings beneath
the skin should not be opened in tn
stables or pastures neither, should
post mOrtem examinations be held
where other animals may come in
contact with the germs of the dis
ease.
After the disease is recognized it
IS not advisable To make postmortem
examinations nor to attempt surgical
treatment owing to the fact that the
spores Of these germs retain their
Virulence for years outside the body
and consequently cause outbreaks of
the disease during following seasons.
For this reason great care should
also be exercised i'm the disposal of
dead animals. Cremantion is the only
81 fc method of 1iSDDSiOo. Of those ca,