Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1912-02-17
ISSUE CIRCULAR
UPON ANTHRAX
Agricultural Department Tells
About Disease of Interest
to Stockmen

The Nevada Agricultural Department
has issued circular on anthrax by DIR. w
p. Mack, veterinarian and bateriologist,
which will prove of considerable interest
to our stockmen. This disease is more
or less prevalent in certain sections of
the State, particularly in the western
portion. In tins paper the disease is
described briefly and in popular Ian
guage, the methods for its recognition
are given and the proper methods for its
prevention and control are discussed.
According to DIR. Mack's account an
thrax has been known since the verv
earliest times of which there are written
records. Before modern methods brought
it under control excessive outbreaks were
frequent in many parts of the world in
which both men and animals perished in
large numbers.
Anthrax is an acute specific infectious
disease. affecting nearly all species of
animals and man. Herbivera and rod
ents are most susceptible, carnivora and
birds less so, but they contract it under
certain conditions. 1t is most often met
with in cattle, frequently i'll horses and
mules. Sheep are no less susceptible
but as they Craze almost exclusively on
higher ground they are less often ex
posed to Infection Swine and dogs
sometimes contract it by feeding on the
carcasses OF animals which have died
from it. Man is less susceptible than
the domestic animals but contracts it
readily under suitable conditions.
The germs enter the body with food
and water, and by inhalation and through
abrasons in the skin Animals are most
often infected by swallowing the germs.
frequently through wounds; man through
wounds and by inhalation. The infec-
ton is often transmitted by biting and
bloodsucking insects. The germs are
more resistent than most species of bac
terra and will live in infected soil and
buildings for long periods. Lands upon
which deaths from anthrax have occurred
will harbor the infection for many years
Naturally The germs are carried to the
lower levels by water so that bottom
lands are more dangerous, in infected
localities, than the higher ground.
The disease is usually acute: some
times the first indication OF trouble will
he the sudden death OF animals which
appeared perfectly healthy few hours
before. However. they may live from
a few hours to several days. The NOR
tslity is always high in animals, but
few may recover. In man the chances
for recovery are much greater though il
is very serious disease even when
viewed in its most favorable aspects.
The germs generally enter the blood
str cam and spread throughout the body,
but sometimes they remain localized
near the point of entrance, producing
carbuncles The latter type of cases
are much more likely to recover than
the former.
The paper describes the symptoms and
post mor,em appearances. Diagnosis is
discussed and list of diseases from which
anthrax must be differentiated is given.
1t cannot be identified with certainty.
except by an expert bacteriologist.
Treatment in animals is of no avail. In
man many cases, especially in the form
of malignant carbuncle, are saved by
prompt treatment.
OF tta dan
ger involved in handling anthrax and
advised not to skin or otherwise examine
or handle the carcasses of animals dead
from it. Such carcasses should be burned
where they lie whenever possible. II
they must be moved the ground and
everything soiled by them should be
promptly and thoroughly disinfected, by
fire where possible. II impossible to
burn them they should be buried deeply.
covered with lime and the graves fenced
In the discussion OF preventative meas
ures the necessity for the efficient dis
posal of carcasses and secretions is clearly
shown. The immunization is by vacci-
nation of all animals grazing on infected
lands is advised. In this way much land
which otherwise would have to be
abandoned for grazing has been rendered
again available.
This paper is published for the infor-
nation of Nevada stockmen and copy
may be had for the. asking. Requests
for it should be addressed to the Agri-
cultural Experiment Station or the
writer, DIR. w. b. Mack, at Reno.