Anthrax ANTHRAX is a very contagious disease from which comes a well known germ, the bacillus anthracis, and which attacks almost all animals and man. The germ lives in the animal’s body and also in rich moist soils, and is very difficult to eradicate. The germ enters the body by the mouth, in food or water, or through cuts in the skin. SYMPTOMS.—There is sudden high fever (105 to 107) the pulse is very frequent (80 to a 100 or more) small and scarcely perceptible. The mucous membrane of the head becomes very red, the eyes red, swollen and filled with tears. The temperature of the body is unequally distributed, some parts hot, others cold. The animal does not eat or chew the cud. There is great depression, weakness, stupor and loss of sensation. There is trembling over the body, particularly in the hind quarters, which may even “give way”. Sometimes instead of stupor, there are attacks of fury, where the animal will bellow and dash itself against any object it may see. There may or may not be carbuncles, these are small swellings about the size of a walnut, which may appear on the head, chest, abdomen, etc., they are blue-black or dark red in color and are not usually painful. One of the most remarkable things about anthrax is its rapid course, most animals die in from 12 to 48 hours. After death the bodies do not get stiff and decay very rapidly. TREATMENT.—This disease is recognized as being incurable, and generally fatal. In suspected cases, give A.A., every two hours, until the animal improves, or the disease becomes thoroughly developed in which latter case the animal should be killed at once, the body burned, and the premises disinfected as given under contagious abortion, page 122. Big Jaw—Actinomycosis This disease is caused by the Ray fungus which is sometimes found on barley, oats, cactus, dried grass, etc., and which enters the body of the animal through cuts or wounds on the tongue, gums, etc., and particularly with young animals at teething time. SYMPTOMS.—These of course vary with the position of the wound, through which the fungus entered the body. If on the tongue, the tongue becomes swollen and very painful “wooden tongue.” If around the teeth, the jaw becomes swollen and finally the growth breaks through the skin or into the mouth. If through the skin of the head or neck, large nodules appear, varying in size from a hazel nut to a man’s fist. TREATMENT.—The most successful treatment is by cutting out the nodules; this of course should be done by a Veterinary Surgeon. We advise calling a Veterinary Surgeon and having him perform the operation as soon as possible, as the disease is usually curable if properly handled and it cannot be transmitted to man or to the other animals. Texas Fever—Red Water—Black Water—Hemoglobinuria