180 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. — IVIostly 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 61. — 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. Some recent cases observed among 

 soldiers were traced to the use of shaving brushes made 

 from bristles which had not been sterilized. Most of the 

 bristles came from China. Prophylaxis: The disease in 

 cattle and sheep is combated by means of immunizing 



