176 PATHOLOGY 



Morbid Physiology. There are symptoms referable to 

 a toxin, as fever, headache, and prostration. Painful, 

 red and swollen joints, profuse and fetid expectoration. 



ANTHRAX 



Definition. An acute infectious disease caused by the 

 anthrax bacillus, occurring usually in animals, but oc- 

 casionally in man. Characterized by hard edema or 

 ulcers at the point of inoculation and symptoms of 

 collapse. 



Etiology. The exciting cause is the bacillus of anthrax 

 which, in cattle and sheep, gains entrance through the 

 alimentary canal. In man the infection occurs from 

 handling cattle or sheep or their products, as wool, 

 hides, hair, etc., and takes place by direct inoculation 

 through the skin, by inhalation through the respira- 

 tory tract, and by ingestion through the elementary 

 tract. 



Morbid Anatomy. The most common form of anthrax 

 in man is due to skin infection, and takes the form of a 

 localized abscess or pustule termed malignant pustule. 

 This may heal or progress to general septicemia. The 

 pulmonary form, or wool-sorters' disease, gives rise to 

 inflammation of the lungs resembling pneumonia. 

 Septicemia may follow. Where septicemia occurs, the 

 blood is found teeming with the germs, which may even 

 clog the capillaries. 



Morbid Physiology. The influence of this infection 



