. ANTHRAX. 



495 



ring especially among those who have to do with 

 cattle and sheep. The bacilli, however, may gain 

 entrance through the lungs as in the so-called 

 "wool-sorter's" disease, which is caused by the in- 

 halation of infected dust from the raw material. 



The generalized infection in all animals is rapid- 

 ly fatal (one to three days), and the occurrence of 

 death is sometimes so sudden as to be called apo- 

 plectiform; in man the mortality is about 50 per 

 cent. Malignant pustule runs a more favorable 

 course. 



The general infections are marked by symptoms Toxin. 

 of intense intoxication and acute degenerative 

 changes are produced in the parenchymatous or- 

 gans. Massive numbers of the bacilli are found in 

 the blood. Neither a soluble toxin nor an endo- 

 toxin characteristic for the organism has been dem- 

 onstrated up to the present time (Sobernheim), 

 although there is abundant clinical and anatomic 

 evidence of intense intoxication. The production 

 of mechanical injuries by the large masses of ba- 

 cilli in the circulation is doubtful. 



Eational prophylaxis involves the proper dispo- Prophylaxis. 

 sal of the bodies of animals which have died of 

 anthrax, the exclusion of animals from fields 

 known to be infected, suitable disinfection of stalls, 

 and finally protective inoculation against the dis- 

 ease. No part of the anthrax cadaver should be 

 used for commercial purposes, because of the dan- 

 ger of infecting those who work with the raw ma- 

 terials. Cleanliness and the usual precautions 

 against contagious diseases should be observed by 

 those who are exposed to infection, bearing in mind 

 that the disease may be transmitted by way of the 

 lungs and alimentary tract, as well as by the skin. 



