Anthrax as an occupational disease : revision of Bulletin 205 / by John B. Andrews.

  • Andrews, John B. (John Bertram), 1880-1943.
Date:
1920
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Anthrax as an occupational disease : revision of Bulletin 205 / by John B. Andrews. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    moderate fever, 101°-102£°; rapid pulse, 120-140; edematous swelling about bead, neck, and cliest.” The swelling was “ extremely rapid,” and the physician elsewhere states that “ within 24 hours it involved all the lymphatics of the neck and axilla.” Anthrax bacilli were found, but protective serum was not available. Death occurred in four days. The sheepskins the man handled were imported from South America and from Africa, and were frequently blood- stained. Bloodstained materials were not eliminated, and were disinfected only by the “ tanning solutions, lime, naphthalin, etc.” The cleanliness of the workroom is described as “ generally good ” by the physician, who further states that hot water and disinfectants were furnished to the men, but no gloves or nailbrushes. The wife received a small indemnity. No. 59, of Brooklyn, N. Y., died at the age of 46, on April 6, 1913, of “ anthrax of the neck; fatty degeneration of the heart.” Deceased was a druggist, and the physician who attended him was unable to determine the manner of con- tagion, but found anthrax bacilli and a true anthrax pustule. Treatment was by “ antiseptic solution and antiseptic dressing.” No. 60, of Gardner, Mass., died at the age of 33, on April 12, 1913, of “ anthrax infection of face.” The man was a chair maker, and the physician states that he “ could find no history of contact with hides, leather, wool, or animal mat- ter.” Nevertheless, anthrax bacilli were found. April 5 he squeezed a small pimple on the right side of his lip, and it immediately began to pain and swell. He was seen by a physician on April 7, when he had a “ congested pimple on upper lip ” and “ temperature 104°.” Two days later he returned to the phy- sician, with “ extreme inflammation of side of face, hardened area with car- buncle appearance.” The following day he was taken to a hospital, where he diegi. within 48 hours. Antianthrax serum wTas not available. No. 61, of Cascade, Pa., died at the age of 34, on May 2, 1913, of ‘^anthrax.” He was a freight agent, and the physician states that “ infection was caused by handling foreign hides.” No. 62, of Racine, Wis., died at the age of 33, on May 5, 1913, of “malignant pustule on face, also internal in mouth; edema of glottis.” The woman was a domestic servant. No. 63, of Philadelphia, Pa., died at the age of 25, on May 9, 1913, of “ an- thrax.” The man was a haircloth maker. According to a local newspaper he felt ill after working over “ a bale of hair from Siberia,” and went home. “ Shortly afterwards, apparently slightly better, he went for a walk with his wife. Then came a sudden seizure which laid him unconscious in the street.” A physician had him sent to a hospital, but “ he died on the way.” The paper further states that the home was placed under quarantine. The hospital physician describes the symptoms as “ anthrax lesion of left cheek.” No. 64, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., died at the age of 4 months, on May 28, 1913, of “malignant pustule.” The physician states that he was called in on May 24 and found the baby girl with a “ brawny swelling about 1 inch in diameter on the left side of the face just above the lip.” Thinking it was an insect bite or an ordinary boil, he gave an antiseptic wash, but on calling the next day he found the swelling “ had extended up to and was closing the eye, and skin was of a dark purple color; fever quite pronounced.” The mother then stated that she suspected the infant had been struck in the mouth with a fly swatter by an older child. The abscess grew until it involved the whole left side of the face, and then opened spontaneously. Large quantities of pus were dis- charged. The physician states positively that, “ while no microscopic exami- nation was made, the clinical symptoms clearly pointed to infection by anthrax bacillus.”