Anthrax 363 
thrax is caused by the anthrax bacillus, a slender rod- 
shaped germ that can easily be found by making a 
microscopical examination of the blood or tissues of 
a diseased animal. In stab cultures in agar or gelatine 
the anthrax germs grow readily in peculiar “frost erys- 
tal” colonies. 
Anthrax occurs most frequently in cattle, sheep 
and mules. The symptoms vary greatly. In some 
eases there is an absence of definite symptoms, the 
animal dying very suddenly, with few or no premoni- 
tory warnings. This is often called the “apoplectic” 
form. Other cases show a high fever with delirium, 
or severe straining associated with discharges of bloody 
mucus from the bowels or other natural openings of 
the body. The mucous membranes are bluish in color, 
and there is great weakness and postration, as shown 
by the trembling of the muscles. There are often 
boils or pustules on various parts of the body filled 
with a dark red fluid. Frequently there are dropsical 
swellings on the hody, with oozing of bloody fiuid 
through the skin. In man, anthrax is sometimes called 
‘malignant pustule,” because it appears as a sore on 
the face, and “wool sorters’ disease,” because it is 
sometimes contracted from infected wool. 
After death, bloody or hemorrhagic spots are found 
in the muscles and internal organs, the spleen is 
greatly enlarged, the blood is dark, thick and muddy 
in appearance, the veins are distended with dark blood, 
and there are bloody fluids escaping from the openings 
of the body. Anthrax can be diagnosed by examining 
the blood and other tissues microscopically for germs 
