Anthrax: What you should know

June 21, 2006

by Eileen Nauman DHM (UK)

From the website of Eileen Nauman

with Catherine Creel
ANTHRAX BIOLOGICAL WARFARE INFO
Iraq, Russia, and as many as ten nations have the capability to load spores of B. anthracis into weapons. The spores of B. anthracis can be produced and stored in a dry form and remain viable for decades in storage or after release. When released, the spores are easily dispersed in air for inhalation by unprotected troops (or civilians downwind) and may remain in soil for many years. Anthrax spores are apparently one of the top choices of weapons for biological warfare.

The following is an excerpt from the U.S. Navy Manual on Operational Medicine and Fleet Support, entitled Biological Warfare Defense Information Sheet. "The disease Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is normally found in sheep, cattle and horses but can be transmitted to humans who contact infected animals or their products. Usually humans acquire the disease by skin contact with the bacteria or by inhaling the bacterial spores found in sheep wool.

As an agent of biological warfare (BW), it is expected that a cloud of Anthrax spores would be released at a strategic location to be inhaled by the personnel under attack. As such, the symptoms of Anthrax encountered in BW would follow those expected for inhalation of spores, as opposed to those expected for skin contact or ingestion of the bacteria. These symptoms are discussed in the sections below."

INHALATION SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX (Pulmonary Anthrax) An air disbursement of anthrax from an airplane could be harmful to a large number of people, depending on the weather conditions and wind patterns. Under the most favorable conditions, aerosolized anthrax spores sprayed from a plane can cover a path of about 8 kilometers. This has the potential of affecting hundreds of thousands of people if dropped ina metropolitan area.

FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS or a CHEST COLD SYMPTOMS About 1-6 days after inhaling Bacillus anthracis spores there would be a gradual onset of vague symptoms of illness such as fatigue, fever, mild discomfort in the chest and a possibly a dry cough. You may think you have the "flu" or a "chest cold." The symptoms would improve for a few hours or up to 2-3 days. Then, there would be sudden onset of difficulty in breathing, profuse sweating, cyanosis (blue colored skin), shock and death in 24-36 hours. These symptoms are essentially those of Woolsorter's disease, which is caused by inhalation of Bacillus anthracis spores rather than contact with the bacterium through the skin. Contact through the skin is the most common "naturally" occurring form of Anthrax and is characterized by swelling and boils on the skin. Skin symptoms would not necessarily be expected with Anthrax resulting from inhaled spores in a biological war attack; it would more than likely be INHALED.

Anthrax symptoms have TWO PHASES. The first set of symptoms mirror non-specific flu-like symptoms.
* progressive fatigue
* possible fever
* chills
* general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
* headache
* nausea and vomiting
* shortness of breath/breathing problems
* cough, dry
* congestion of the nose and throat
* mild chest discomfort with a non-productive cough
* joint stiffness
* joint pain
*possible sore throat
*possible night sweats
*loss of Appetite

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INHALATIONAL ANTHRAX
FEVER;HEAT in general (K1278) (205) : Acon., Alum., Apis, Arg-n., Ars., Ars-i.
CHILL; COLDNESS in general (K1259) (213) : Ant-t., Apis, Aran., Ars., Bism., Calc-f.
HEAD PAIN; GENERAL (K132) (305) : Anthr., Calc-s., Cedr., Chin., Chin-s., Cocc.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
COUGH; DRY (K786) (288) : Acon., Alum., Ars., Ars-i., Bell., Brom.
RESPIRATION; SUFFOCATIVE (Difficult) (107) : Acon., Acon-f., Am-c., Ant-t., Apis, Ars.
NOSE; CONGESTION to nose (11) : am-c., cham., cortico., cupr., hep., lith-c.
THROAT; FULLNESS (K452) (44) : apis, arg-n., bell., cinnb., con., eucal.
CHEST; CATARRH (K824) (95) : Ant-t., Ars., Bar-c., Bar-m., Bry., Cact.
EXTREMITIES; STIFFNESS (K1191) (133) : Ars., Asaf., Bry., Caust., Chel., Cocc.
EXTREMITY PAIN; GENERAL; influenza; during (K1045) (8) : Bry., Eup-per., acon., caust., chel., euph.
MIND; DISCOMFORT (SI 401)(Discontented)(Restlessness) (44) : camph., grat., sulph., agar., ammc., ars.
STOMACH; APPETITE; diminished (K476) (133) : Alum., Pic-ac., arg-n., aur., bar-m., cact.
EXTREMITIES; ANTHRAX (K952) (6) : anthr., ars., sec., echi., lach., ther.
1. Anthracinum (anthrax nosode)
2. Arsenicum album
3. Lachesis muta
4. Secale
5. Bryonia

Then, you will experience improvement, and the symptoms seem to abate for 1-3 days, and you feel better.

The second phase will hit you hard, and usually, within 24-36 hours. This phase is one marked by high fever, dyspnea (shortness of breath), stridor (lungs filling with fluid), cyanosis (blue-colored skin, and you are not able to get sufficient oxygen into your body due to breathing problems), and shock, and then you die.
* Breathing Problems/pneumonia
* Shock
* Swollen Lymph Glands
* Profuse sweating
* Cyanosis (skin turns blue)

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR STAGE TWO
FEVER; HEAT in general (K1278) (205) : Acon., Alum., Apis, Arg-n., Ars., Ars-i.
CHILL; COLDNESS in general (K1259) (213) : Ant-t., Apis, Aran., Ars., Bism., Calc-f.
HEAD PAIN; GENERAL (K132) (305) : Anthr., Calc-s., Cedr., Chin., Chin-s., Cocc.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
COUGH; DRY (K786) (288) : Acon., Alum., Ars., Ars-i., Bell., Brom.
RESPIRATION; SUFFOCATIVE (Difficult) (107) : Acon., Acon-f., Am-c., > > Ant-t., Apis, Ars.
NOSE; CONGESTION to nose (11) : am-c., cham., cortico., cupr., hep., lith-c.
THROAT; FULLNESS (K452) (44) : apis, arg-n., bell., cinnb., con., eucal.
CHEST; CATARRH (K824) (95) : Ant-t., Ars., Bar-c., Bar-m., Bry., Cact.
EXTREMITIES; STIFFNESS (K1191) (133) : Ars., Asaf., Bry., Caust., Chel., Cocc.
EXTREMITY PAIN; GENERAL; influenza; during (K1045) (8) : Bry., Eup-per., acon., caust., chel., euph.
MIND; DISCOMFORT (SI 401)(Discontented)(Restlessness) (44) : camph., grat., sulph., agar., ammc., ars.
STOMACH; APPETITE; diminished (K476) (133) : Alum., Pic-ac., arg-n., aur., bar-m., cact.
EXTREMITIES; ANTHRAX (K952) (6) : anthr., ars., sec., echi., lach., ther.
BACK; SWELLING of; Cervical region (4) : con., iod., nux-v., phos.
GENERALITIES; SHOCKS; agg. (SII 578) (25) : acon., acet-ac., am-c., arn., camph., cham.
PERSPIRATION; PERSPIRATION in general (K1293) (201) : Ant-t., Calc., Chin., Ferr., Hep., Ip.
RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; pneumonia, in (6) : ANT-T., Chel., Kali-n., Kreos., Lyc., Phos.
GENERALITIES; CYANOSIS (K1356, SII 151)(RESPIRATION; Asphyxia) (109) : Camph., Carb-v., Cupr., Dig., Lach., Laur.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Phosphorus
3. Lachesis muta
4. Carbo veg.
5. Baptisia tinct.
6. Pyrogenium

OTHER HOMEOPATHIC ANTHRAX INFORMATION (for cutaneous and gastrointestinal anthrax) Humans become infected by coming into contact with spores through any or all of these paths of infection: * skin * mucous membranes * respiratory tract * Spores (the offspring of the organism can survive in soil for 50 years..or more...) * Humans are most commonly infected by spores found on animal products such as hides, bristles, or wool *Biological warfare attack via airplane.
CUTANEOUS SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX ( Anthrax skin infection)
* Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center.
* a reddish brown sore that breaks open and forms a scab. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
* Usually find a typical painless lesion (ulcer) at site of infection with a black, necrotic (dying tissue) eschar (scab).
* Local swelling is often prominent
* Possible fatigue
*Possible chills

WHAT DOES AN ANTHRAX SKIN LESION LOOK LIKE? HARVARD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY SHARES INFO WITH US:
[I have been asked to describe what a cutaneous anthrax lesion is like. These are usually on the fingers, hands or forearms, but occasionally on the face or lateral side of the eye -- i.e. where people have cuts or nsect bites &/or scratch themselves. The organism gains entry via these minor abrasions and cuts. While it can take 2-4 days to develop I have known it take 7-10 days before it appears. The area around the initial nfected area is inflamed, hot, and typically has small circling vesicles or 'blisters'. What is absolutely typical is that the inflamed Lesion is painless. Later it ulcerates to be a round area, frequently the size of a quarter, say 1.3 cms diameter, and with a blackened floor to the ulcer. The affected person will have a raised temperature and feels definitely ill or groggy. The inflamed area can become extensive. Response to treatment is usually rapid. The lesion is so typical that it can be identified from the circular scar years later. The most dangerous cutaneous lesions are oropharyngeal because of the real risk of asphyxiation and tracheotomy is usually called for in these circumstances. In spite of the sometimes terrifying swelling and inflammation (see any textbook for extreme examples) healing is usually complete with little or no permanent damage. My colleague Benyamin Cherkasskiy in Moscow tells me that he has had only modest success, around 30%, in recovering organisms from cutaneous lesions. However, the Russians utilise an anthracin skin test for diagnosis, though I suspect it is more useful in retrodiagnoses. - Mod MHJ]

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR CUTANEOUS (SKIN) ANTHRAX
SKIN; ANTHRAX (2) : ip., lob.
SKIN; ERUPTIONS; vesicular (K1322) (148) : Ars., Canth., Carb-ac., Caust., Clem., Croto-t.
SKIN; SWELLING; affected part, of (K1332) (57) : Bell., Kali-c., Merc., Puls., Rhus-t., Sep.
SKIN; DISCOLORATION; blackish (K1305) (19) : Ars., Plb., Sec., apis, arg-n., carb-v.
SKIN; ITCHING (K1327) (242) : Agar., Apis, Ars., Bov., Carb-v., Carbn-s.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Lachesis muta
3. Nitric acidum
4. Secale
5. Carbo veg.

GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX (eating it)
Intestinal:(EATING FOOD CONTAMINATED WITH IT) The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.
* Abdominal Pain
* Inflammation of the Intestinal Tract
Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX
STOMACH; APPETITE; wanting (K479) (284) : Ars., Asar., Calc., Cham., Chel., Chin.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
ABDOMEN; PAIN; general (K554) (397) : Ars., Bry., Canth., Cham., Cocc., Colch.
STOMACH; VOMITING; blood (K536) (131) : Arn., Cact., Carb-v., Chin., Crot-h., Ferr.
RECTUM; DIARRHEA (K609)(STOOL; Frequent) (285) : Agar., Aloe, Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Arg-n.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Ipecac
3. Phosphorus
4. China
5. Veratrum album

HOMEOPATHIC INFORMATION YOU NEED

WE ASSUME YOU HAVE THE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES YOU NEED...
POTENCY and DOSAGE Potency ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy (or, if you buy a kit) should be a 30C. Take these white pellets UNDER your tongue and let them melt way. Do NOT take them with water. Take every 15 minutes until you can receive emergency medical help. If you cannot get to the hospital. Take every fifteen minutes until the symptoms go away. When they stop: STOP taking the remedy.

WHERE TO GO ONLINE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EACH OF THESE REMEDY PICTURES Under the circumstances it is impossible for me to give you all the symptoms of each of these remedies. However, there is a website that has all these remedies and you can download and print the ones you want to keep on hand in a file that is handy for you to get to. Here is the website address: http://www.homeoint.org/books2/nashtherap/

WHERE TO GET HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES TO KEEP ON HAND There are several homeopathic pharmaceutical companies. Please see the NCH Resources on their website. I also recommend my book, POISONS THAT HEALS because I wrote it for epidemic and potential terrorist attacks. It does not have info on anthrax, but does on Plague, Ebola, and others.

LOCATING A HOMEOPATH NEAR YOU You MUST locate the nearest homeopath to you for treatment. Please go to: http://homeopathic.org/NCHSearch.htm This is the National Center of Homeopathy website. This is the directory. Simply choose your state and locate the nearest homeopath and call them to have your case taken as soon as possible if you believe you have been exposed to a terrorist assault