OUTBREAK OF ANTHRAX.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 196, 26 August 1901, Page 1

OUTBREAK OF ANTHRAX.

Ox Saturday afternoon a largely attended meeting of settlers was held in Messrs Wyllie and Mason's offices to discuss the recent outbreak of anthrax at Opotiki, Mr Macfarlane (County Chairman) presided, and stated that having seen a telegram in Saturday’s Times stating that an outbreak of anthrax had taken place at Opotiki, he had asked Mr Mason to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter. Anthrax was a very serious disease, and he was pleased to see so many cattle owners present. Their herds here were perfectly clear as far as he knew, and what made him take action was learning that a mob of 200 was being collected at Opotiki to come across here. lie thought measures should be taken to prevent infection in case of contagion. He would leave it to the meeting to say whether they would pass any resolution requiring the Minister of Agriculture to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease from Opotiki by the prohibition of the travelling of stock. Mr Noale, Government vet., said that anthrax was one of the most highly contagious diseases known, and one that

mankind was highly susceptible to. There had not been many outbreaks in New Zealand so far. One unfortunate case had been where a man who owned a cow which died from the disease had cut it up for his pigs, and happening to scratch his hand, had died also. Most of tho cases were due to imported bones, and cows that had been feeding on turnips which had been raised by imported bone

manure were liable to contract it. The Government would quarantine all infected places. Ho gave directions to bo followed in case of an outbreak here, as to the disposal of animals, which should be immediately burnt, and proceeded to define the symptoms. An animal infected with anthrax generally isolated itself, went off its feed, and got dull. There was a twitching of the muscles and flank. Wild excitement followed, then came coma and death. If sheep got the disease they were liable to linger for a few days, whilst cattle died within a few hours. The Chairman askea if the disease was rapidly contagious amongst cattle, and Mr Neale replied in tho affirmative, and stated that the disease was generally caused by ingestion, or feeding, and not by company.

It was unanimously decided to telegraph the following resolution to the Minister of Agriculture : “ A large meeting of stock owners was held here to-day to consider the outbreak of anthrax at the Bay of Plenty. As numbers of cattle come into this district from there the meeting unanimously decided to request you to take immediate stops to protect us from possibility of contagion. We hear that cattle are now being collected in the Bay of Plenty to come to this district, and would like steps to bo taken to stop them.”