Abstract

Cutaneous anthrax is usually easy to diagnose provided the doctor thinks of anthrax. The lesion most likely to be confused with anthrax is accidental vaccinia. Orf lacks the characteristic central eschar. Cutaneous anthrax responds to antibiotic therapy: rare complications are meningitis and hypoxic hypertension. Pulmonary anthrax is highly fatal: its incidence is related to the number and size of anthrax-containing particles which are inhaled. Artificial mists containing lethal doses of anthrax bacilli can be manufactured. Intestinal anthrax may present as gastroenteritis or as ulceration of the intestine with obstruction and perforation.