Anthrax+History

=The History of Anthrax = =Ancient Times [B.C.] = Anthrax makes headlines today because of the modern man-made threat of Bioterrorism. However, evidence suggests that Bacillus Anthracis (Anthrax) first came into contact with humans thousands of years before during ancient times.

The ten Plagues of Egypt are a section of Biblical scripture detailing the punishment God inflicted on Egypt in displeasure. Though these plagues are widely believed to be mythical or allegorical, there is now information hinting that they actually did occur or were at least based off of actual events. Incidentally, two of these plagues seem to have been caused by Anthrax.

According to scripture, in around 1500 BC,Ancient Egypt experienced its Fifth Plague. This epidemic that infected and killed the livestock of Egypt. The dead bodies would then infect other livestock. This was followed by the Sixth Plague which is known as the "Plague of Boils" during which men and women developed incurable sores and bruises on their skin. Some of these afflicted succumbed to the disease and died. The description of these two plagues is very similar to that of ingestional and cutaneous Anthrax.

If it was in fact Anthrax that caused these two plagues, then Anthrax would have been around as long as modern humans have.

=Modern Era =  Further evidence of Anthrax infections continue from ancient times to the present day. However, serious work on cataloging the disease only began in the early 19th century. It should be noted that as this was also the time that microbiology and cell theory research was in its infancy, work on the Anthrax was instrumental in the larger understanding of microbes and their life cycle.

German scientist and Noble Prize Laurette Robert Koch [pictured] was the first to link Anthrax to Bacillus Athracis, consequently also elucidating the role a microbe plays in diseases.Other scientists, including W.S. Greenfield and Louis Pasteur furthered his research by searching for a vaccine to the disease. Eventually, Pasteur was able to develop a vaccine for Anthrax after applying the solution to 15 cattle, all of which survived Anthrax infection, he went on to also create vaccines for small pox, cholera, and swine erysipelas.However, this vaccine was only applicable to livestock, humans could not take it. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/macrobaye/robert-koch.jpg  The human vaccine was first made available in 1954 through the combined efforts of multiple scientists. This was a cell-free vaccine, one that did not contain an actual Anthrax bacteria. This type of vaccine is noted to be safer and more advanced that a live-cell vaccine. Pasteur's vaccine was live-cell. Forward: Anthrax as a Bioweapon Backward: Anthrax Overview Anthrax Home 