The Detection of Anthrax Spores in Shaving Brushes

comes infected during the operation of skinning and cutting up .the animal, which has died of anthrax. The bacilli in the blood and organs, on exposure to air immediately spore and the hair of the hide becoming soiled with the blood and discharges becomes intensely infected with spores. Unless the hair is very thoroughly washed and disinfected, these spores remain on the hairs duringthe processes of being made up into brushes; and as they maintain their vitality for long periods, the infection may be carried to distant places. It will be evident that the whole of the hair mass will be likely to harbour the spores ; that is not only the projecting part of the brush but also the part imbedded in the mount of the brush. As will be seen later, it is important to remember this when examining a used brush. In sending brushes to the laboratory for examination there are one or two points to note. If a case of facial anthrax has occurred