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germinate into bacilli, these bacilli being in contact with
oxygen would develop spores, which possess extraordinary
powers of resisting chemical and other agents which would
easily destroy the bacilli.
It is satisfactory therefore to learn that there is a
tendency in the leather trade to encourage the adoption of
the "wet" as opposed to the "dry" cure, and further that
the "wet" cured hide is now considered superior in quality
to the "dry."
Since the beginning of the year when the Factory and
Workshop Act of 1895 came into force, anthrax is a disease
which has to be notified to the Chief Inspector of Factories
at the Home Office (unless notice has been previously sent).
On account of the many difficulties involved in satisfactorily
disinfecting large numbers of hides or skins (such
as 60,000 in one instance), I was glad to have consultations
with Dr. Whitelegge, the Chief Inspector of Factories, and
Dr. Shirley Murphy and Dr. Hamer, who have reported on
the subject for the London County Council.
At all the wharves washing accommodation for the men
who carry and sort hides has now been provided. Notices
giving advice and suggestions to the workmen employed are
also posted in the warehouses.
Greater precautions ought to be taken in the countries
from which hides are imported, so that the hides of animals
that have died of disease are not mixed with those of healthy
animals. The former hides ought to undergo the "wet"
cure, or some process that may be found to destroy all
pathogenic spores and bacteria, before they are utilised in any
manner.