Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-30
Or. c. LINCOLN FURBUSH
On Anthrax and Its Cause


T1lIE cases Of anthrax which have oc-
l. Cured in Philadelphia recently have
given the health authorities much concern.
and DR.. C. Lincoln Furbush, Director OF
Public Health Of the City of Philadelphia,
says that every possible precaution Is being
taken.
''Not only are We doing everything pos
eble from the precautionary standpoint,
said DR.. Furbush, but the leather men OF
the city are kecnly alive to the dangers OF
the situation and are cooperating with US
to the fullest extent. / have had several
conferences with them, and nothing VIII be
left undone either by them or by US TO pre-
vent any further recurrence of the disease
Anthrax is an infectious disease and Is
produced by the anthrax bacillus. 1t Is in
tcrcstng to note that this disease Is be-
lleved to be the first to be looked upon as
definitely infectious and the, first bacterial
disease to be discovered and proved to be
due to a micro organism. In this respect, at
least, its history is unique.
at is essentially disease OF animals, and
in certain countries Of Asia, in Russia, Ger
many, France, the Balkan States and Eng
land, 1t is far more common than i'll the
United States. In the first mentioned of
these countries its ravagcs are widespread,
ut times appearing In epidemic form. Owing
to its infectious nature, hides from animals
which have died Of anthrax are potential
sources Of danger To man unless the greatest
the market.
Certain Zones Affected
'In the United States certain localities
are known to be subject to the infection, and
occasionally there are rccurrent epidemcs
among the animals in these areas. This
country, however, has never been subject to
the disease 70 anything like the extent of
most of the countries which / have men
toned.
Human beings contract anthrax from
animals which have had the disease. Usually
this infection takes place among those who
have had direct or indirect contact with the
diseased animals or with material from these
animals which is used In commerce.
"Nlost Of the cases Of anthrax which
occur In human beings are therefore, among
butchers, hostlcrs, tanners and those who
handle the hair or wool from animals which
have had the disease. Occasionally, how
ever, the bacillus remains alive through all
the processes of preparation for the market
and some purchaser of product Will con-
tract anthrax from the bacillus which lives,
all unsuspected, on an implement perhaps in
daily use.
II refer especially to the number OF cases
Of anthrax which we have traced to shaving
brushes. OF course, the bristes in these
brushes came from animals which had
anthrax and upon which the infection re-
maincd. We have had too many cases Of
this sort.
Long Lived Bacillus
''To understand how this can occur, il is
necessary TO know n little something about
the bacillus itself. 1t Is one of the largest
in size of any of the disease producing bac-
teria. and It Is further characterized by
being what Is known as n 'spore producer
By this is meant that when conditions for
its continued growth are not favorable IL
develops body or spore' Of high powers OF
resistance. This 'spOre' can remain for an
indefinite period in a quiescent state, and
when conditions again become favorable will
return to growth and It's infectious nature,
"lt is this peculiar quality Of the anthrax
bacillus which has led to human infection
here in the last year or two. The malignant
germ remains in a seemingly innOCuous con-
dition until suddenly 1t resumes its powers
for evil and then II there be an abrasion
Of the skin into which it can enter the dis
ease Is contracted
"It Is essential for us to know where md
In what manner each case of anthrax wng
contracted, ana therefore a careful inyestI-
CATION of each case IL made as soon as il is
reported to us. The great majority Of the
cases recently reported have been traced 10
the importation OF infected hides. In con.
sequence, morocco workers have been in
frCted and, az ] said before, far too many
| Cnscs have been shown to be due to the use
of infected shaving brushes.
Ounce Of Precauiion
''In dealing with anthrax, as with every
! other highly infectious disease, the pro-
verbal ounce OF prevention Is worth much
more than the pound OF cure. In order 10
get the desired results We shall have to