174 APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



fleas infesting these rodents. Prophylaxis: Discovery and 

 destruction of all infected rodents, and in the pneumonic 

 form extreme care to guard against infection through 

 coughing, sneezing, etc., and infection from the sputum. 

 Anthrax Bacillus. Mostly in the form of slender, non- 

 motile rods, Gram-positive, and forming spores possess- 

 ing great resistance to destructive agents. Anthrax 

 is primarily a disease of cattle and sheep, but humans, 



Fig. 58. Bacillus of anthrax in spleen pulp. Fuchsin stain; X 2000; 

 C. Frankel prep. (Kolle and Wassermann). 



especially those who handle hides or whose occupation 

 brings them into contact with animals, are occasionally 

 infected, usually in the form of "malignant pustule." 

 Among wool-sorters a very fatal pulmonic type of infec- 

 tion is observed. Recently it has been charged that the 

 disease is apt to be spread through the wearing of furs. 

 This is unwarranted, as such a mode of infection must be 

 extremely rare. Prophylaxis: The disease in cattle and 

 sheep is combated by means of immunizing injections of 



