The equine diseases of India / by Richard W. Burke.

  • Burke, R. W. (Richard W.)
Date:
1887
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The equine diseases of India / by Richard W. Burke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of anthrax affected animals, where earth-worms act as the intermediate bearers, and direct contagion from animal to animal. From what I saw of the last outbreak of anthrax in horses of the 17th Lancers and Native Cavalry Regiment at Lucknow about three years ago, I have little faith in air as a medium of contagion in outbreaks of anthrax, as the two batteries of Artillery close to the Native Cavalry Regiment escaped contagion, although not many yards’ distant from the Cavalry lines. However, a volatile form of contagion in anthrax is recognised by many observers. Zundel (Recueil de Med. Veterinaire, May and June, 1871) recognises a fixed and a volatile contagion in anthrax; and Fleming also mentions it. Many so-called spontaneous outbreaks of the disease may be explained on the possibility of air being a medium af contagion, the germs floating in the air, more during certain conditions than during others, alight on susceptible animals. Instances of anthrax communication by affected animals, I have only recently reported in the case of this disease introduced among camels belonging to the Army Transport at Cawnpore, on the arrival of affected animals from Allahabad; and also in the case of slaughter cattle at Allahabad about two years ago, through inter-communication of suspec- ted cattle employed in carrying fodder for healthy ones. Such instan- ces could be multiplied ad infinitum. Among indirect means of contagion may. be mentioned the excreta of animals affected with this disease, and bedding, clothing, utensils, etc., used by them. Also flies, vultures, jackals, &c., all of whioh may be active agents in promoting the spread of anthrax. And, lastly, the bodies of affected animals in particular, which should be always cremated. If this were done in the case of village cattle also, and burial prohibited, we should hear less about grass-cutters’ ponies introducing anthrax into cantonments than we now do. The bacillus anthracis, by its excessive multiplication, has a mecha- nical effect, apart from all other considerations, in impeding the action of the heart, in blocking up the minute capillaries of important glands and preventing secretion and excretion, etc., as evidenced by the svmp- toms of this disease. In the heart the bacilli of anthrax abound within and around the vessels, and in the interspaces of the muscular fibres.