ERYSIPELOID AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

Abstract

The skin disease which Rosenbach in 1884 designated erysipeloid is now known to be an infection caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, the organism of swine erysipelas. My previous reports¹concerned the infection in swine and in human beings, especially commercial fishermen. The organism was recovered by culturing an excised piece of involved skin from swine and from patients. Bacteriologic studies, serologic reactions and the virulence of organisms recovered from different sources were reported. My purpose now is a clinical analysis of 100 cases of erysipeloid, with particular reference to the occupational nature of the disease. Eighty-eight of the patients were infected through an injury to the hands in the course of employment and were claimants under workmen's compensation laws. The infection is therefore of importance to the industrial physician. <h3>THE ORGANISM AND THE INFECTION IN SWINE</h3> It will suffice now to discuss briefly the organism and the infection in swine.