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that the infectious property is, in the great majority of cases, conveyed by dry hides, and there are
distinct indications of the existence of a tendency to look upon the dry cure with more and more disfavour.
In this matter, fortunately, the interests of those desirous of obtaining good leather, and of those
concerned with preventing the spread of anthrax seem to point in the same direction.
(3.) A classification at the port of export by which hides removed from the dead animal could be
kept apart to be afterwards dealt with under strict precautions. This, as Mr. Spear observed, would
"result in the limitation of dangerous material mainly to one class of goods instead of its distribution
throughout the entire bulk." Such a system would, in effect, transfer the danger incident to "sorting"
from the London warehouse to the port from which the hides are originally sent out. If some satisfactory
and practicable means of disinfecting inferior qualities of hides could moreover be discovered,
and such method could be carried out before the hides were despatched from the warehouse, the risk to
those engaged in the London trade would be well nigh done away with.
During the last ten years there has been a considerable growth of knowledge concerning the
practice of disinfection. There seems to be no doubt, however, among those engaged in the leather
trade, that exposure to steam or to reliable chemical disinfectants would materially damage hides. The
question might well be made the subject of experiment. In the existing state of knowledge, the employment
of disinfection on a large scale appears no more feasible than it did when Mr. Spear wrote his
report.
(4.) Prophylactic or palliative measures applicable to individual workshops and individual
workers. As the majority of the cases recorded have been developed in connection with work in places
which do not come within the scope of the Factory and Workshops Act, but little advantage could be
expected to accrue from the adoption of special rules and requirements under section 8 of that Act.
The question of protective inoculation of cattle against anthrax has received considerable attention in
recent years, the idea of applying this method to men engaged in the hide and skin trade may
certainly at the present time be dismissed.
Mr. Spear insisted on the importance of adequate ventilation and cleanliness of sorting rooms,
the avoidance of unnecessarily rough handling of the hides so as to produce dust, and the desirability
of the dissemination of a knowledge of the danger amongst workmen. He gives a form of notice which
was issued by Messrs. Dyster, Nalder and Co. to their employes, and which they caused to be hung up
in their warehouses. An amended form of this notice is given in Appendix III. The example set by
this firm does not appear to have been followed by others.
Mr. Spear wrote "Experience continues to show that the disease is amenable to early and proper
treatment," and the history in later cases bears out the importance of excision of the pustule as soon as
its nature is recognised.* In view of this fact, it is most important that no one should handle hides who
is ignorant that the employment is a source of possible danger, and it is desirable that the employer
should recognise that he has neglected to take reasonable precautions against risk of injury if he has
failed to acquaint the workman with the possibility of danger, and with the nature of the steps to be
taken in the event of any suspicion of mischief.
W. H. Hamer,
Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
* The use of ipecacuanha in the treatment of anthrax has attracted some attention within recent years.
Dr. E. B. Muskett, practising in South Africa treated "about fifty cases of this disease in this manner, extending
over a period of 15 years, and hitherto it has never failed." Lancet, 1888, volume 1, page 269.
Mr. Davies-Colley has published a paper on this subject in the Guy's Hospital Reports 1890, volume xlvii.