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Anthrax.
The following is a complete list of all the cases of anthrax which occurred in connection with
Bermondsey in 1904.
Date
notified
1904.
Name and
Address of
Patient.
Occupation.
Part
Affected.
Source of Infection.
Result of
Illness.
Jan. 22
C. S., Poppins
Court, Fleet
Street, E.C.
Warehouseman, Topping's
Wharf, Tooley Street
Left side
of neck
Firm import large
quantities of hides,
but patient only
had finished hides
to deal with
Recovered
P.K., 502, Hanover
Buildings
Employed at Nesbitt's Hide
and Skin Warehouse,
Pickle Herring Street
Left side
of neck
„
April 5
Worked last on March
31st on dry Columbian
ox and cow
hides
F.P., 146, Guinness
Buildings,
Snowsfields
April 5
Left side
of nose
„
Carman at Neal's, 8, Tooley
Street, Contractors, who
deal principally in provisions
Patient had not been
working with any
hides as far as could
be ascertained
Sept. 27
E. B., Rowton
House, Newington
Butts
Left side
of neck
„
Patient had been employed
on Cape goat
skins three or four
days previous to
notification
Employed at Tower Bridge
Wharf
Dec. 5
„
R. B., 1, Curlew
Street
Waterside Labourer, General
Steam Navigation
Co.
Near left
ear
Engaged in unloading
foreign hides
Dec. 8
W. H. D., 61,
Riley Street
Right side
of nose
Died
Lime Jobber, Wichelow's,
Tidal Place
Been working at Cape
goat skins
Dec. 8
P. B., 42, Crosby
Row
Front of
ear
Waterside Labourer, Pickle
Herring Wharf
Recovered
Engaged in unloading
foreign hides
Dec. 9
W. H., Maybrow
Bldngs., Redcross
Street,
Borough
„
Works at Voss & Son, 75,
Weston Street
Right side
of neck
Been working at foreign
hides
Dec. 10
Works at Voss & Sons, 75,
Weston Street
Been working at foreign
hides
E. W. S., 101,
Percival Road,
Enfield Town
Left side
of neck
„
Every precaution is taken by the above firms to prevent the occurrence of the disease,
and to ensure its early recognition, hand basins, nail brushes, etc., being supplied.
In addition the following recommendations in the form of a bill drawn up by me at the
request of the Public Health Committee is exhibited in different parts of the premises:—
"Anthrax is a fatal disease affecting certain animals, which may be conveyed from them to man
especially to those handling hides, wool, or horsehair of animals which have died of this disease. The
minute germs or spores remain for a very long time in the hair and hides of animals which have died of,
or have been slaughtered while suffering from the disease.
"It is communicated to man sometimes by swallowing the dust from an infected hide, but more
usually by the poison lodging in some place where the skin is broken, such as a fresh scratch or cut, or a
scratched pimple or even chapped hands. This happens most frequently on the neck, but also on the
hands, arms, face, or any uncovered part. Infection may also be brought about by rubbing or scratching
a pimple with hand or nail carrying anthrax poison.
"The first symptom of anthrax is a small inflamed swelling like a pimple or boil, often quite painless,
which extends, and in a few days becomes black in the centre and surrounded by other pimples. The
poison spreads from this over the whole body. The disease can be cured by prompt treatment in the
early stages and before it has spread beyond the boil or pimple. It is of the utmost importance therefore
to consult a medical man early.
"In working among hides avoid breathing dust from them, and before working among wet or dry
hides be sure that all scratches and cuts are carefully covered. Do not take any food or allow the hands
to touch the face or neck unless the hands are thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. In doing this a nail
brush should be used, particular attention being paid to cleaning the nails. It is advisable to keep these
short so that there will be less room for dirt collecting underneath."