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193
This is the first case of Anthrax certified to me from this factory
and I am informed no previous case has occurred. As I have
pointed out in previous Reports, the means of preventing Anthrax
are, in the first place, that manufacturers should deal only in horsehair
coming from districts bearing a repute for being free from
Anthrax infection. The trade look upon English horse-hair as being
the least commonly infected, then the South American and Russian
hair, and lastly the Chinese. Secondly, it is possible to disinfect
hair before it is handled, and some firms require that this shall be
done before they receive the goods. Lastly, there are contrivances
available in factories for dust extraction or protective processes,
consisting of wetting the horse-hair. I visited Messrs. Nightingale's
premises, and am satisfied that this case did not occur on account
of any negligence on the part of the firm, or persons whom they
employ. I may, however, add that in my opinion workers in horsehair,
which necessarily contains large quantities of dust, should
be extremely careful to protect themselves whenever they have
wounds, abrasions, sores, or boils on the hands, arms, or face.
(ii.) On July 19th I received notification of a case of Anthrax in
the person of Charles C., aged 40, of 08, Jupps Road, Mile End, E.,
employed by Messrs. William List & Son, of 51, Bunhill Row, E.C.,
Horse-hair Manufacturers. The usual enquiries were made. This
firm receives horse-hair in bulk, which is hackled, milled and
washed. The nature of the work done by this man, Charles C.,
was that of "a drawer of horse-hair." He had been employed at
this factory for about 28 years, and he was engaged in handling
large quantities of foreign (Siberian and Russian) horse-hair. It has
not been possible to obtain any information as to how this man was
infected, but in all probability he infected his neck by scratching it
with unclean hands. His wife reports that she had noticed a
pimple behind his right ear for about a week, and on Tuesday,
July 12th, he suddenly became ill with swelling of the neck, headache,
lassitude, &c. On Wednesday he went to the hospital, and he
died on the following Friday.
By the courtesy of Dr. H. D. Ledward, House Surgeon at St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, I am able to add the following particulars