(Biol.) A microscopic, bacterial organism (Bacillus anthracis), resembling transparent rods.
3.
An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed to the presence of a rod-shaped gram-positive bacterium (Bacillus anthracis), the spores of which constitute the contagious matter. It may be transmitted to man by inoculation. The spleen becomes greatly enlarged and filled with bacteria. Called also splenic fever.
... occurred—that the pestilential germs, which have destroyed the body in question, are thus so treasured and protected as to propagate and multiply, ready to reappear and work like ruin hereafter for others.... Beside anthrax or splenic fever, spores from which are notoriously brought to the surface from buried animals below, and become fatal to the herds feeding there, it is now almost certain that malarial diseases, notably Roman ... — The American Architect and Building News, Vol. 27, No. 733, January 11, 1890 • Various Read full book for free!