Sanitary medicine, exercise folio : a note Oct. 25, 1892 to Mar. 10, 1893

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-- " -- " Dec. 15, 1892 -- " -- " --

Anthrax Synonyms. - Anthrax Fever, Carbuncular Anthrax, Splenic Apoplexy, French - Charbon or Sang de Rate German - Miltzbrand or Karbunkelkrafheit Latin - Ignis sacer or Pustula maligna.

Anthrax is a miasmatic non-contagious disease, due to an aerobic germ, which gains access to the system by the mucous or other tract; and causes either a local or general disease, and local symptoms or death.

It was definitely demonstrated by Koch in 1876 that the disease was caused by the bacillus anthrasis.

The bacillus has very square ends and is constricted in the middle and when seen in the blood seems

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two or three times the diameter of the corpuscles. This is not however the case, as in this condition, the bacillus consists of two or three segments and appears as one.

It multiplies by division, the segments grow long & again subdivide. When outside of the body and in the proper media the filaments grow very long. [illegible] The germ grows on various culture media, such as gelatine agar agar, potato & etc. It appears unable to grow in distilled water, but multiplies rapidly in moisture containing organic matter. It is destroyed in a week or so, by dessication owing to the absence of oxygen. From the same cause also spores do not form in the dead animal.

Cold has very little effect on the vigor or vitality; it grows best however at a temperature of 35°C and

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not above 55°C. Attenuation is produced by heating at a temperature of 55°C for 15 minutes

When nourishment is all gone, and the temperature and other conditions are not favorable, the bacillus dries up & leaves a spore to prolong its life. The spore is very resistant, & may retain its vitality for 8 or 10 years, and form a new bacillus

Neither water or boiling has any effect on the spore. It may however be destroyed by corrosub 1 to 1000 in 15 minutes.

Anthrax may be produced by the germ entering the system, by the respiratory or alimentary tract, the skin, or other membranes lining the openings of the body

In cattle it is generally produced by the ingestion of forage containing

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spores. The spores germinate & form rods in the intestine, which pass into the blood. In addition it is produced in horses by entrance through the skin. And by the latter means produces External Anthrax or malignant pustule, which is usually sporadic.

Anthrax Fever or Splenic Apoplexy is generally confined to a locality, the germ being taken in with the coarse forage.

The disease is rarely produced by inhalation, but when it is the bacillus passes through the membranes & into the lymphatics.

The germs produce their effects (1) mechanically by plugging vessels, & (2) chemically by producing poisonous alkaloids

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Dec. 17, 1892

Anthrax may be either sporadic, enzootic or epizootic. The soils most favorable for its propagation are: (1) a black loose & rich one rich in organix matter. (2) Lime marl and clay with organic matter, (3) A swampy of low land. The disease usually occurs during warm weather, when the soil water is lowest. It is observed most commonly, first in cattle & secondly in sheep & goats. Carnivora generally contract it by eating the cadaver. fish and amphibia are said to be somwhat susceptible. A slight attack confers immunity for a short period.

The disease is most commonly seen in districts where part of the land is innundated for part of the year. The outbread occuring when the land is drying. Frequently seen along the Miss. river, Nile and Danube