Download Anthrax Scare In Acadia Parish

Anthrax Scare In Acadia Parish
Do you remember the anthrax scare shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks? That was the first time I had ever heard of anthrax. Well that wasn’t the first
time America was confronted with the Anthrax scare. Back in the summer of 1908 there
was an anthrax scare here, in Acadia Parish, except back then they didn’t call it anthrax,
it was called Charbon; and it was raging in Acadia Parish; losses of horses, mules and
cattle were reported daily.
Anthrax, the Greek word for coal. Charbon, in French means coal also. Charbon,
aka, anthrax is a serious bacterial infection, which primarily infects animals, e.g., cattle,
sheep, horses and mules. Humans can be infected by inhaling the anthrax spores and, if
untreated, are likely to die. Most human anthrax comes from skin contact while handling
infected animals. The main characteristic of anthrax is a carbuncle, a cluster of boils.
The Crowley Signal dated June 6, 1908 reported Frank Bernard of Rayne
notified Dr. Vulliamy that his animals were dying off at an alarming rate.
Apparently, the disease was serious enough that the state sent Dr. H. J. Milks
from Baton Rouge, confirming the diagnosis of local veterinarians. The doctor went out
to the Brooks Farm where mules belonging to Acadia Parish were kept. An examination
of a dead mule from a few hours earlier, including a microscopic test of the blood from
the dead animal, confirmed that it was without a doubt the disease, charbon.
Dr. Milks said, “Use preventive measures, try and confine the disease to its
present limits and stop the spreading. That is about the only advice I can offer.” The
doctor also suggested taking the animals temperature twice daily and watch for rising
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temperatures in the animals. If any of the animals show signs of elevated temperatures
the animal should be isolated from the herd.
Anthrax cannot be spread directly from person to person, but by an infected
person’s clothing and body may be contaminated with anthrax spores. It is one of the
oldest recorded diseases and is believed to be the Sixth Plague mentioned in the Book of
Exodus in the Bible. Anthrax spores are long-lived and can remain viable for many
decades and perhaps centuries. Spores are found in all continents except Antarctica.
According to The Crowley Signal dated June 27, 1908, Mr. Egan, a local man
had been suffering for several days from an infection of the hand, which Dr. Toler has
pronounced as being charbon. The sore appeared some time ago and began spreading.
Dr. Toler burned the affected area with caustics and said that all danger has passed.
A human vaccine for anthrax became available in 1954.
According to
MedicineNet.com Scientists are now busy developing new anthrax vaccines that
simultaneously protect both against the anthrax bacteria and the deadly toxins released by
the bacteria. If successful, it might help dispel future anthrax attacks.
Non-fiction
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