1. A disease in humans caused by infection by cutaneous anthrax (q.v.) followed by septicemia with Bacillus anthracis from infected animals through traumatized skin; marked by hemorrhage and serous effusions in various organs and body cavities and by symptoms of extreme prostration. Rarely, infection is airborne, with no cutaneous lesion. Syn: carbuncle(2).
2. An infectious disease of animals, especially herbivores, due to presence in the blood of Bacillus anthracis. Syn: charbon.
Origin
[G. anthrax (anthrak-), charcoal, coal, a carbuncle]
cerebral anthrax
cutaneous anthrax
intestinal anthrax
pulmonary anthrax