Thread: Anthrax from Shaving Brushes: 1925 Article

I would like to thank everyone who posted-I had no idea that such a good discussion would result from my original post. I did some work in a laboratory in Baltimore in the 1960's where anthrax cultures existed for vaccine development purposes, and there were EXTREME precautions in the building; negative air flow to each lab, which was filtered through acid before being discharged into the air outside the building. Anthrax is an extremely dangerous disease and untreated, and has a very high mortality rate, especially the pulmonary form. So, I will post pictures of the dangerously attractive NOS horsehair brush in question later this weekend, but not use it until I can have it gas or gamma sterilized. The bleach and boiling suggestions would likely loosen the bristles and damage the wood finish, so I will take a pass on those. Thanks again, all!

Just remember that article was the only known case in the last 100 years of someone getting anthrax from a shaving brush. As I mentioned, all ruminants are subject to anthrax, so, if there was a problem, you'd have to worry about strops too.

I can't think of any disease risk that could possibly be lower than this. You have a higher chance of contracting tuberculosis on a plane, or being bit by a rabid fox.

How do you know that your badger brush is real? Perhaps it's faux-badger from dyed horsehair. Note that all new badger hair comes from China, as most other countries protect them. Horse-mane hair is soft. It's easy to dye ...

This is all an interesting historical footnote but I wouldn't be worried about getting anthrax from a brush. The only concern would be if it was a brush manufactured in the 1800s and basically put away and never used and is NOS. Then I would be concerned as it could easily still have viable spores in it.

Since the thread is already full of sage advice on the matter I'll add some history in regards to the original post.

Originally Posted by Croaker

..Professor Ellermann of the University of Copenhagen died December 1924...

Vilhelm Ellermann (1871-1924). Masters 1896, Doctorate 1902, senior pathological physician Bispebjerg Hoppital 1913, chairman of the justice departments forensic medicine 1917-1924.

From wiki on Oncovirus:1908: Oluf Bang and Vilhelm Ellerman, University of Copenhagen, first demonstrated that avian leukosis virus could be transmitted after cell-free filtration to new chickens, causing leukemia.

-Hat's off to you. You managed to be of greater importance than I have hopes of

A couple of final points:

1. The article says "An examination of his shaving brush
showed that it was dyed Chinese horsehair, made to imitate badger, and from
the hair anthrax was isolated". So beware of badger hair razors from China, not horsehair ones from elsewhere?

2. It seems suspicious to me that the only case reported anywhere of anthrax from shaving brushes or strops should be in a famous microbiologist. He had the capability of doing this to himself on purpose. I suppose it's possible that this is why the case was published, not why it occurred. But, still, considering the tiny fraction of the population in the 1920's that were microbiologist, my epidemiologist ears are twitching.

Finally got a chance to photograph the Century USA horsehair brush in question. It is 6 inches long, of which 3 1/2 inches is wooden handle and Bakelite or composition with the logo on it. Looks like it was designed to fit comfortably in a barbers hand, so he could give many shaves without getting tired from the lathering. I still have not found a way to get it gas sterilized, but will eventually. The bristles look coarse, but are actually quite soft. I look forward to using it! Thanks for all your comments. This was the most fun post I have ever made.

It says "sterilized" on it, does it not?

Presumably you have reason to not believe this, even though it was made in the USA?

You don't need to sterilize to make the brush safer. The object is to remove viable spores. This can be attained by repeated washings too. If the spores are gone, they can't infect you. You don't need to actually kill them.

Interestingly, there is a relatively large scale anthrax outbreak going on in Bangladesh right now in both people and cattle. It has had a big impact on their finished leather goods export market (strops in there?).

The reason they started putting sterilized on brushes was specifically due to the Anthrax scare in the late 19th early 20th century. I don't know what proceedure they used then and whether or not it took care of the spores that's another question however either way horsehair all but disappeared for shave brush use until pretty recently. It's been used for shoe brushes and other types of brushes for a long time now.

The typical method is via superheated steam. Apparently this doesn't injure the horse hair over the period of treatment. Then the hair is used in fabrication.

Horse hair was found in many items: Furniture cushions, barber's neck dusters, shaving brushes, medical sutures, etc.

The anthrax scare of WWI was due to a bad batch of cheap brushes. The same problem could just as easily happen with cowhide strops. Nowadays anthrax is much more common in cattle than any other animal, chiefly because horses are no longer in use for transportation and draught.

The barber's neck duster would appear much more dangerous if contaminated with anthrax spores, because the infection would be inhalational instead of cutaneous. You'd have 24-48 hr to get onto Cipro, or you'd be a goner. But there have been no reported cases of anthrax from dusters.

I think worrying about anthrax from shaving brushes is a tad paranoid. Even if the brush in question was WWI army issue, the odds are about 1:10,000, and cutaneous anthrax is easily treatable and unlikely to be fatal.

What a fun thread! My point is why take a chance with old horsehair brushes of unknown vintage....note that treatment needs to be initiated BEFORE symptoms occur in inhalational anthrax! Anyone here ever sniff a shaving brush? I sure have, including this one, unfortunately.

Clinical Presentation of Anthrax1,2

Anthrax InfectionIncubation PeriodSigns and SymptomsLethalityInhalational Ranges from as little as 2 days following exposure to spores to 6 to 8 weeks after exposureInitial symptoms are fever, headache, and muscle aches. If untreated, the disease progresses to shortness of breath, fatigue, chest discomfort, shock, and death. Meningitis may complicate the clinical course.

Chest imaging reveals a widening of the mediastinum (the area between the lungs that contain the large vessels, heart, trachea, esophagus, bronchi, and lymph nodes).Historical data suggest that if appropriate antibiotics are not started before development of symptoms, the mortality rate may be greater than 90%. However, in the U.S. anthrax attacks of 2001, 45% of persons with inhalational anthrax died despite supportive therapy.CutaneousRange of 1 to 12 days following exposure; incubation period is typically closer to 1 day
The first symptom is a small sore at the point of infection that develops into a blister and later into an ulcer known as a black eschar. This ulcer is painless and has a depressed, black center.Approximately 20% of persons with cutaneous anthrax may die if not treated with appropriate antibiotics. With appropriate antibiotic treatment, the death rate is approximately 1%.GastrointestinalTypically 1 to 6 days following exposureOropharyngeal: Fever, ulcers in the back of the mouth and throat, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and lymph node and neck swelling

Intestinal: Initial symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and malaise. The disease may progress rapidly to bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and shock.Without antibiotic treatment, gastrointestinal anthrax results in the death of more than 40% of affected persons.