THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 



221 



blood agar and in human blood, and inoculation experiments in man and in monkeys 

 indicate its pathogenicity. 1 



ANTHRAX. (Splenic Fever; Malignant Pustule; Charbon ; Carbuncle.) 



This disease, which is much more common in the lower animals, 

 especially the herbivora, than in man, is widely prevalent in Europe. 

 It is comparatively rare in the United States, but in certain regions is 

 more common than formerly. 



It is induced in man by accidental inoculation with the Bacillus an- 

 thracis, which also incites the disease in the lower animals. Inoculation 



FIG. 104 ANTHRAX MALIGNANT PUSTULE OF THE SKIN. 

 From a man who had been handling foreign hides in New York. Bacilli stained, 



may occur through the skin by the agency of flies and other insects 

 which have been feeding on animals infected with this disease, through 

 abrasions or slight wounds on the hands of those handling their carcasses 

 or hides, or in other ways. Following this skin inoculation a pustule is 

 apt to develop "malignant pustule" and varying phases of an acute 

 exudative inflammation, which may be hsemorrhagic, sero-fibrinous, 

 purulent, or necrotic, accompany the local proliferation of the germs 

 (Fig. 104). Anthrax bacilli in large numbers may be present in the local 

 lesion. From this local source a general infection may ensue. General 

 infection may occur without evident external lesion. 



Infection with anthrax may occur through the lungs, most often 

 among those who handle infected wool or hides, the dust from which is 

 inhaled ( u wool -sorter's disease"). Under these conditions there may 

 be O3dema, lobular pneumonia with involvement of the pleura, media- 

 stinum, and other adjacent structures. Infection through the gastro- 

 intestinal canal takes place by the ingestion of food containing anthrax 

 spores, and is apt to be accompanied with inflammatory and necrotic 

 changes, which are described in detail among lesions of the intestine. 



When general anthrax infection occurs the post-mortem appearances 

 vary. Decomposition, as in other acute infections, generally sets in early. 

 The blood is frequently not much coagulated and dark in color. Haem- 

 orrhages and ecchymoses are frequently found in the serous and mucous 

 membranes and in various other parts of the body. 



1 See Dams, Journal of Medical Research, vol. ix., 1903, p. 401, bibl. 



