HUMAN ANTHRAX

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3183, 6 September 1917, Page 5

HUMAN ANTHRAX

INFECTED SHAVING BRUSHES FROM CHINESE HAIR. In 1915 (says the 'Westminster Gazette") there wore six cases of anthrax among civilians duo to tho use of sharing brushes, and thirteen last year. Sinco August, Mi, eighteen cases have Von noted anions soldiers at Home, including a.Canadian officer, who died at Bramshott last January, and twenty-eight in France between March,. 1915, and February, 1917. After a sapper's death at Rochester it was found that ono sample of horsehair brushes issued at Chatham was infected. Inquiry at the Army Clothing Department showed that 200,000 brushes had been sent from Canada- and had been issued to various Army depots. The firm in Canada had obtained them from manufacturers in Now York, who stated that Hie brushes were made from Chinese hair which was'supnosed to havo been thoroughly disinfected, and suggested that infection must have got on to fho brushes by mixing- with other sorts. ■ Dr. Contfs, who has been inquiring into human anthrax, mentions the lonpr period (hums which anthrax spores may remain dormant and yot develop in full virulence on conditions becoming favourable. Ono consignment which led to infection in 'Aujnist. 1915, had been stored in London sinco 1912.