already been stated that since anthrax spores live for several years, the
disease may be contracted in winter from feed gathered on permanently
infected fields.

The disease may appear sporadically, i. e., only one or several animals may
be infected while the rest of the herd remain well, or it may appear as an
epizootic attacking a large number at about the same time.

_Symptoms._--The symptoms in cattle vary considerably, according as the
disease begins in the skin, in the lungs, or in the intestines. They depend
also on the severity of the attack. Thus we may have what is called anthrax
peracutus or apoplectiform, when the animal dies very suddenly as if from
apoplexy. Such cases usually occur in the beginning of an outbreak. The
animal, without having shown any signs of disease, suddenly drops in the
pasture and dies in convulsions, or one apparently well at night is found
dead in the morning.

The second type (anthrax acutis), without any external swellings, is the
one most commonly observed in cattle. The disease begins with a high fever.
The temperature may reach 106 deg. to 107 deg. F. The pulse beats from 80 to 100 a
minute. Feeding and rumination are suspended. Chills and muscular tremors
may appear and the skin show uneven temperature. The ears and base of the
horns are cold, the coat staring. The animals are dull and stupid and
manifest great weakness.

To these symptoms others are added in the course of the disease. The
dullness may give way to great uneasiness, champing of the jaws, spasms of
the limbs, kicking and pawing the ground. The breathing may become labored.
The nostrils then dilate, the mouth is open, the head raised, and all
muscles of the chest are strained during breathing, while the visible
mucous membranes (nose, mouth, rectum, and vagina) become bluish. If the
disease has started in the bowels, there is much pain, as shown by the
moaning of the animal; the discharges, at first firm, become softer and
covered with serum, mucus, and blood.

As the disease approaches the fatal termination the weakness of the animal
increases. It leans against supports or lies down. Blood vessels may
rupture and give rise to spots of blood on the various mucous membranes and
bloody discharges from nose, mouth, rectum, and vagina. The urine not
infrequently contains blood (red water), and death ensues within one or two
days.

A third type of the disease (anthrax subacutus), which is rarely observed,
inclu