CHAPTER XXXII. 



BACILLUS ANTHRACIS BACILLUS ANTHRACIS SYMP- 

 TOMATICI (ANTHRAX BACILLUS). 



BACILLUS ANTHEACIS. 



ANTHRAX is an acute infectious disease which is 

 very prevalent among animals, particularly sheep and 

 cattle. Geographically and zoologically it is the most 

 wide-spread of all infectious disorders. It is much 

 more common in Europe and in Asia than in America. 

 The ravages among herds of cattle in Russia and Sibe- 

 ria, and among sheep in certain parts of France, Hun- 

 gary, Germany, Persia, and India, are not equalled by 

 any other animal plague. Local epidemics have occa- 

 sionally occurred in England, where it is known as 

 splenic fever. In this country the disease is rare. In 

 infected districts the greatest losses are incurred during 

 the hot months of summer. 



The disease also occurs in man as the result of in- 

 fection, either through the skin, the intestines, or in 

 rare instances through the lungs. It is found in per- 

 sons whose occupations bring them into contact with 

 animals or animal products, as stablemen, shepherds, 

 tanners, butchers, and those who work in wool and 

 hair. Two forms of the disease have been described 

 the external anthrax, or malignant pustule, and the 

 internal anthrax, of which there are intestinal and 



