The New York herald., 1921-12-15
Anthrax From Horsehair.
Shaving Brushes as a Means Of the
Transmission Of the Disease.

To THE New YORK HERALD: To what
extent do shaving brushes transmit tho
infectious agent of anthrax. and by what
means may the danger from this source
be prevented? The answer to these ques-
tions Is of considerable public interest
at the moment In view of recently re-
ported cases of this disease believed to
have been contracted through the me-
dium of contaminated brushes.
Among those who have had practical
experience with anthrax there is but
little difference of opinion concerning the
origin of the disease and the means Of
transmission. Anthrax is one of the
oldest recorded diseases and figures
largely in ancient history and is known
in every part of the globe. 1t occurs
primarily In animals and It Is trans
nritted to man usually by direct contact
with the dangerous material. for in
stance. among butchers, veterinarians
and the like. 1t also appears among
those who work with hides, wool, hair,
&c. which are sometimes contaminated.
In comparatively rare instances It may
be transmitted by articles manufactured
from animal hair or hides prepared for
public use. such as shaving brushes.
The anthrax germ is hard TO kill even
with the most powerful disinfectant.
Reports OF anthrax affecting human
beings not infrequently come from diff
ferent parts of the United States as
well as from places throughout the
world II is quite probable that vari-
GUS conditions which existed during the
recent war and subsequent to II were
responsible for an increase In the num-
ber OF these reported cases. for great
carelessness occurred In the care OF
animals as well as human beings during
the war period. which would favor the
extension of anthrax and render. horse
hair more formidable as medium of
infection. A carefully prepared report
concerning anthrax, presented by the
Department of Health OF this city. goes
far to confirm this statement
Anthrax is not transmitted from per-
son to person In the manner of other
infectious diseases; therefore there is
practically no danger Of an epidemic
outbreak affecting the public at large.
Besides, when we bear in mind that a
million OF shaving brushes are probably
purchased in the United States each
year an occasional report Of infection
through the medium of this article
should not cause unnecessary alarm.
This Is fortunate. as the public Is prac-
tically helpless In the way of extending
substantial aid in the prevention of an
thrax in view of the manner in which
the infectious agent is disseminated
There Is considerable difference OF
opinion regarding the frequency with
which anthrax Is transmitted by shaving
brushes. However this is not the part
Of the subject which at present should
engage the special attention Of tho pub
nc health officials; the important point
az issue is Go determine the exact sources
Of infection and the means by which It's
transmission may be prevented
Recent investigation seems to Indicate
very clearly that the chief element of
danger, so far as It relates to the trans
mission of anthrax by shaving brushes.
Is horsehair imported from the Far East
ana also from South America and which