TEXT-BOOK OF BACTERIOLOGY. 213 



We are not able as yet to give a satisfactory answer to every 

 separate point, for it is, as may be supposed, no easy matter to fol- 

 low the bacillus in its hidden paths; yet as to the most important 

 matters we are sufficiently informed by precise investigations. 



It has been noticed that the anthrax bacilli generally obtain en- 

 trance in the natural course of things by the same doors which have 

 been found capable of admitting it for experimental transmissions. 



Slight injuries to the integument, scratches, pricks, bites, cuts, 

 and stings admit it in some cases. This mode of infection is per- 

 haps not very frequent, and only in the case of human beings Joes 

 it occasionally come under notice. People who have to deal with 

 animals suffering from or having died of anthrax are most exposed 

 to infection, and thus the anthrax as a human disease is pretty 

 much confined to certain trades and occupations. Cattle-drivers, 

 herdsmen, butchers, and those who have had to skin and cut up 

 the cattle, sheep, and horses which have died of anthrax, as well as 

 those who have to handle the hair, wool, skin, etc., of such animals 

 are the commonest human victims of the disease. 



Yet man is not one of the highly-susceptible classes. As a rule 

 the disease remains local; the local inflammation known as malig- 

 nant pustule sets in, and but rarely does a general spreading of bac- 

 teria throughout the whole body take place. 



Particularly with mankind we often observe the second kind of 

 infection, the reception of the virus into the lungs. In England 

 especially a peculiar, violent lung disease has been noticed, which 

 follows pretty much the same course as a severe attack of pneu- 

 monia, and which affects workmen employed in sorting rags, teas- 

 ing wool, etc. It was called the " wool- sorter's disease " and was 

 long a puzzle to the faculty, until more precise investigation at 

 length discovered its true nature. 



In Germany, too, many cases have recently come under notice 

 which have been recognized as pulmonic anthrax, and according to 

 the reports of Paltauf and Eiselsberg, there can be no doubt that 

 the German "Hadern Krankheit" is generally quite identical 

 with the English wool-sorter's disease. 



The infection takes place by the inhaling of anthrax spores, in 

 the same way, therefore, as in Buchner's experiment with mice and 

 Guinea-pigs. The germs adhere to the hairs (or wool) coming from 

 ainmals \vhich perished of anthrax disease. 



The most important way in which animals as a rule and human 

 beings occasionally become infected is the third : infection through 

 the intestinal canal by reception of the virus mixed with food or 

 water. 



