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family doctor was not called in until the 6th July, and on his
arrival the patient was moribund and died from Anthrax
Septicaemia.
The patient's shaving brush was found to contain anthrax spores
and bacilli, and had been purchased, according to the widow, two
years or more previously. The brush was somewhat similar to, but,
owing to its worn condition, not definitely identifiable as, the brush
missing from a consignment of twelve seized in June, 1932 (Minutes
1931-2, pages 696-7). At that time the hospitals in the district were
warned to be on the look out for malignant pustule in order that
no time should be lost before the serum was given, but as no case
occurred it was believed that the customer was not a Lambeth
resident.
The patient, aged 50 years, was a cobbler with his own small
business and had purchased some leather on the 2nd July. As the
leather was tanned and dressed ready for the repair of boots it
did not appear a likely source of infection, but samples were
nevertheless taken with the expected negative result.
He almost invariably shaved himself and the last time he was
shaved by a barber was at least a fortnight before the onset of his
illness, and after enquiry no suspicion was attached to the barber's
utensils.
The man's shaving brush seems to have been the obvious source
of the disease, but its prolonged use without giving rise to infection
is amazing from a medical point of view.
We desire to place on record an appreciation of the thorough
manner in which the Medical Officer of Health has carried out his
investigations in connection with the foregoing.
Received.