The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-17

1
at 100000 francs a year, in 1912, and
100000 francs in 1881. Anthrax
is endemic in some parts OF Eu-
rope, especially Russia, Germany
and France. There persisted in
one Russian district alone, in lSG7-70,
SO, 900 domestic animals-horses, cows and
Sheppard 52S human beings. In l170,
according 10 Prof. Law, during an cpl
demic OF this disease in the West Indies,
there persisted within six weeks, 1900
men from eating beef infected with this
disease. few years ago whole family
in Scotland were infected through eating
soup made with diseased beef, though IL
was boiled several hours. The disease has
been known TO attack upholsierers, who
were engaged in repairing certain chairs
imported from u distance, which were
stuffed with horse hair. There are cases
on record which show that persons may
receive the fatal injection by accidental
contact with inicctivo material. A case is
on record Of boy having anthrax on the
right temple from lying Tor a short time
upon bale OF mohair, and another OF n
gentleman being infected in thcsamc place
from touching some ivan" mohair ut
the warehouse OF friend. A few
years ago local epidemic occurred
in Paris, among workingmen who
handled a cargo Of hides from South
America. In 1881 the employers and
representatives OF woOlsortcs IN England
found II necessary to adopt such measures
ms would insure their workmen against in
lection, and met Her Majcsty's Inspector
OF factories, aud representatives OF the SAN
itary authority, at Bradford, TO consider
the necessary precautions. Three fatal
cases occurred in Bradford, England, in
1881. The micro-organism Tor bacillus"
which Is the cause Of anthrax, or splcnic
fever, etc, is rod.likc. Each rod contains
crystal like body which Is called n sporc.
II is from these spores the bacilli, "or
rods are formed. Now II we take the
minutcst quantity Of blood containing
these rods from an animal dead OF splcnic
fever, and inoculate healthy animal
with II, this animal will die without fail
also Of splenic fever, and In its
blood, rods, tho so called anthrax
bacilli will likewise be found. These
spores under certain conditions retain
their vitality almost indefinitely. This
accounts for the outbreaks OF an
thrax among sheep or cattle which
fed where animals have previously
been buried. Pasteur, in 1880, demon
stuicd 10 the French commission that
anthrax bncili could be found in the
'casts" Of carthworms, obtained from soil
over the trench which had been used for
the burial Of cattle that died OF anthrax the
year before. We will now pass TO the
consideration Of actnomycosis, which,
like the aforementioned disease, is supposed
10 be rare In this country, but, from the
recent investigations. | am forced 10 the
conclusion that this disease prevails among
cattle TO a greater extent than Is ordinarily
supposed In June, 1877, Bollingor de-
scribcd new iungoid disease in cattle,
peculiar affection Of the jaws Of cattle,
which, up 10 that time, had been looked
on by some as scroiulous disease, by others
as OstcO-sarcOma According 10 him
tho affection consists in the de-
vclopmcnt Of whitish tumor, which
starts from the back part OF the
jaw, in the spongy portion Of the bone, and
bursts through II, generally outward, de-
stroying all the tissues in It's course The
disease attacks human beings, cattle and
swine, and IL communicable 10 cattle by
incubation. The organism which causes
this affection is commonly about the size
OF a mllct seed and OF pale yellow color,
sometimes white and brown. II has been
called 10y Harz the ray" fungus The
center ot II consists OF n core Of closely
woven threads, from which adiata mul-
| titude-of threads which swell out NJ their
ends into olub-shapcd bodies, giving the
organism mulberry appearance. Over
iorty-One eases OF actinOmycosis have oc-
CURED in human beings. Though DR..
Israel, Of Berlin, tirst described this dis.
ease ~ occurring in man In 1877, POniick,
In 1879, WIS the first 10 recognize the true
nature oi the disease aud 10 establish It's
identity with the disease occurring In cat.
tie, previously described by Boil
niger. Tho disease may attack
human beings 10y three channels the
mouth, the lungs aud the bowels, many
eases 20 TO show that il morc frequently
attacks the Jaws. 10y PARTICLES of the dis.
cascd meat or other food lodging in tho
teeth, especially when dccayed. This dis
ease may attack the lungs through per-
sons accidentally breathing dust which
contained the germ. II often attacks the
bowels after eating meat diseased with IL.
Human beings injected with this disease
lingcr Tor two or three years Cattle NJ.
lucted with any 81 these diseases may in
feet the pasture or shed in which they arc
fed, and IN this way communicate the dis.
ease 10 Uthcr animals.
In conclusion, gentlemen. Il Is too truo
that cattle affected with these aud other
terrible diseases, arr being slaughtered and
served iOr human food all over this coun-
try. Especially Is this true In certain
cities OF tho West. Nor do these diseases
stand alone In mcnncing public health.
| There are Yet unmcntionUd many hidden
sources Of danger, among which | should
mention the formation Ui certain poison.
Gus alkalulds ia the bodies OF animals
/ suffering irum continued icvom THESE
poisons aru stored up Ia ihn flesh Of the
animal, aud also In certain ol the internal
organs liver aud spleen anl no amount
Oi cooking will destroy them. Meat con.
tanning these puisOns, when eaten, causes
cramps, vomiting aud frequently death.
Doubtless the frequent cases Of poisoning
from eating canned bvct are due TO thcsJ
poisonous alkalOids, or What are known
technically US ''ptomnincs." II Is com.
mon Tor people to ascfibo the cause to th,
tia IN such eases Instead OF the meat
Tho radical remedy Tor this state Of NJ
iaim must bo apparent 10 every one
IL Is told ia q low WORKS thorough
state inspection. Tho public ~
body ! would charge them scri
ously II they vdue their health not /,
eat a m0nul OF meat, mo matter iron
whence u came unless II be thorough,
cooked, and drink no milk unless ID hn
been boiled ~ least i've minutes Asre
giids those who drink the blood Of calll
Tor consumption, there Is great danger o
the blood NJ taken increasing thc disease
ior hosts ot cows are consumptiyc, thougl
they may look iat and healthy.