South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-21
MAN SUBJECT TO
ANTHROX ATTACK
Handling Animals Afflicted
May Result in Transfer of
Disease to Human.

Anthrax is primarily a disease Of
animals such as cattle and sheep,
but is transmitted to men in a num-
Der of industrial pursuits. including
among its victims hide and skin
handlers and other tannery en-
plOyes longshoremen, woolsorters,
hair workers. brush makers. farm
ers. ranchmen, and veterinarians.
The relative importance of this dis
ease is indicated 10y the fact that for
every five deaths from lead poison
ing in the United States registration
area, there is one death from an
thrax. A study of anthrax as re-
lated 10 various occupations has just
been published by the bureau Of
labor statistics in the L. $ depart
ment Of labor, in its bulletin No.
2O5.
According 10 this bulletin anthrax
in the United States is frequent
among animals in the lower Missis-
sippi valley, in the gulf states, in the
east (chiehy on the banks of the
Delaware river), and in some of the
western states. and public attention
has been drawn recently 10 human
anthrax by the startling increase in
the number of casts in seaports and
tannery towns in New York, Massa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania. Among
European countries. Russia and
Italy are reported TO be the most
seriously affected by both animal
and human anthrax.
Various Forms of Anthrax.
In man contagion commonly oc-
ours among persons handling ami
NAL materials through an abrasion
of the skin, resulting in the social
ed malignant pustule", or ma
lignant edema". Cases have been
caused by bites of insects and of pet
animals which have fed on diseased
materials, and even by spores found
in shaving brushes. WoolsOrters'
disease or pulmonary anthrax is a
less frequent but almost invariably
fatal form Of the malady, caused by
the inhalation of dust or particles of
hair or wool from diseased animals.
The anthrax bacillus is one of the
largest and most easily recognized
of the disease producing organisms;
il is not. however. to be so much
feared as cause of disease as the
spore. which is able TO survive for as
long as Il years without nutriment.
This spore is easily carried about,
and under favorable conditions,
rapidly terminates and sets up a
focus of infection.
incubation resulting i'm the ma
lignant pustule is the most common
form of anthrax. This begins with
red pimple about the size of a pins
head, which at first causes little
pain. The pimple rapidly increases
in size and becomes surrounded by
a peculiar resilient swelling. In the
center of the pustule is "A black spot
around which the skin rises in bis
ters on the third or fourth day
the Emphatic glands in the vicinity
of the pustule are usually swollen
and painful. The complete cycle of
the disease occupies on the average
nine or 10 days The necessity OF
prompt diagnosis and treatment for
the affected part is emphasized by
leading authorities.
In malignant edema, the other
form of external anthrax. the pus-
tule is absent The swelling usual
" covers an extensive surface and
is most frequently situated on the
eyelid. neck. or forearm. In severe
cases there is a redness, vesication.
and a gangrenous appearance of
the skin This form is much less
frequent than the pustule.