The attenuated form of anthrax is not microscopically different from the viru lent form, but it is quicker in growth and more resistant. The more virulent the growth, the more acid it is, and, rice rcrsa, the more alkaline the blood serum, the more difficult it becomes for the anthrax bacillus to grow. Behring (Zeit. f. Hygiene, Apr. 12, 'S9).
Experiments on rabbits and sheep to ascertain relative value of serum-thera peutics and vaccination. Intravenous in jections of small doses of virus are not more severe than subcutaneous ones, but large quantities arc far more lethal when given in the veins. A sheep vaccinated is refractory to a large dose of anthrax, but its serum has no curative power. When immunized to a very high degree, the curative power of the serum may be come marked from two to three weeks after inoculation, after which its activity diminishes. By intensive inoculation of sheep a serum is obtainable, having dis tinct prophylactic properties. As to the curative properties of the serum, that ob tained from rabbits was not found strong enough to avert death. The immunity prockced by this serum is evanescent: that resulting from vaccination was. on the contrary, lasting. Marchoux (An nales de l'Institut Pasteur, Nor., '95).
No immunizing substances found in the blood either of animals treated with Pasteur's vaccine or of those who had passed through an attack of anthrax. In animals treated for weeks and months with increasing doses of virulent anthrax cultures so that an active immunity is acquired, such protective substances are present in the blood. The serum ob tained from a sheep thus treated con veyed a certain degree of immunity when injected into rabbits. Attempts at cure of the disease in rabbits were without effect. In 2 out of 7 sheep in which 100 to 150 cubic centimetres normal serum from a lamb were first injected, then small quantity of a virulent anthrax culture, both animals succumbed. Three other animals were given a single dose (50, 100, and 200 cubic centimetres of serum) and later a virulent anthrax culture. All these animals recovered. The sixth and seventh animals were also injected with smaller virulent cultures and later with anthrax serum. Both recovered. Sobernheim (Berliner klin. Woch., Oct. IS, '97).
Experiments showing the comparative value of alkaline solutions for the de struction of spores. Cultures of anthrax bacilli rubbed up into an emulsion, the bacilli killed by exposure to a tempera ture of 15S° F., and remaining spores
subjected for several days to the action of solutions containing carbolic acid alone, and other solutions containing in addition to carbolic acid in the same strength salts such as sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, and the like. The latter solutions proved much more active in preventing the growth of the spores. When the spores were first introduced into a solution of sodium chloride and then into a mixture of a similar solution and carbolic acid, the growth of spores was much less active than when the simple salt solution was not used first. The author believes that the salts act by increasing the precipitation of proteids rather than by changing the molecular constitution of the carbolic acid. Romer (Munch. med. Woch., Mar. S, '9S).
The sphalangi of Cyprus is an insect resembling an ant of medium size whose sting gives rise to anthrax. To this is ascribed the fact that anthrax is very common in Cyprus, especially among the animals, the bacillus being carried by the insect from the carcasses of such animals to human beings. G. A. Williamson (Brit. Med. Jour., Sept. 1, 1900).
Case in which the source of infection was bone-dust which the patient had handled. The patient died on the fourth clay after his initial symptom. The tem perature did not rise above 100° F. The lesion was situated on the breast, where he had scratched himself, and there was an entire absence of pain, severe consti tutional disturbance, and feeling of dis tress. E. F. M. Neave (Lancet, Oct. 6, 1900).
Prognosis.—The prognosis of anthrax in man, when infection takes place ex ternally. depends mainly upon whether energetic surgical treatment is under taken early enough. Leng,yel and Ko ranvi, by adopting suitable local treat meat, lost only thirteen out of one hun dred and forty-two cases. Patients with anthrax resulting from internal infec tion (intestinal, pulmonary) very rarely recover. (Tillmann.) Of thirteen cases of anthrax under ob servation, five died, in all of which the primary lesion was on the lateral aspect of the neck. In remaining cases the in itial lesion was situated on the forearm, cheek, forehead, occiput, and neck. The serious character of the lesion when it is situated in the neck ascribed to loose subcutaneous cellular tissue allowing ex tension of the infection. Radical surgical treatment apparently aggravated the progress. Sick (Centralb. f. Chin, Sept. 9, '99).