From Viperfox@compuserve.com Wed Feb 18 20:40:39 1998 Received: from dub-img-6.compuserve.com ([149.174.206.136]) by THE-SPA.COM with ESMTP (IPAD 2.03) id 3831300 ; Wed, 18 Feb 1998 20:40:39 EST Received: (from root@localhost) by dub-img-6.compuserve.com (8.8.6/8.8.6/2.10) id UAA01759; Wed, 18 Feb 1998 20:42:32 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 20:10:15 -0500 From: Viperfox Subject: anthrax with love... Sender: Viperfox To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com Message-ID: <199802182010_MC2-33DB-3C2E@compuserve.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Disposition: inline [Permission to distribute this article is granted provided it is not edited.] February 18, 1998 ANTHRAX WITH LOVE by Viperfox If the highly infectious disease we presently call "anthrax" were unleash= ed in its natural form, it would cause widespread death in humans and animal= s. For modern vaccines and serums do not provide 100 percent protection. = Having said that, this nasty microscopic spore can be transmitted from beast to man or directly to humans via simple contact with contaminated soil, hides, hair, wool, bone meal, and even dried blood. But it is so fi= ne a particulate that it can be carried a tremendous distance through the ai= r. It can also settle virtually anywhere, and can attack its victim by passi= ng through the lungs into the bloodstream. = In fact, the dreaded pathogen can stay alive in a sort of semi-dormant state for many years. And depending on its stage of development, it can kill either a cow or a full grown man in as little as 12 to 24 hours. Mos= t, however, die from exposure within three to five days. It is vicious like pneumonia, but many times more potent. = Generally speaking, though, the bacterium Bacillus anthracis is almost always fatal unless one is properly immunized; but even then, without lar= ge doses of antibiotics or sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole, sulfacetamide, an= d ofloxacin/Floxin tablets), such as penicillin (or amoxicillin), tetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline or cipro, your chances of survival are slim to none. To build up a sufficient resistance to the spores, therefore, takes time. (NOTE: Before the advent of penicillin, sulfonamide drugs were widely used to treat infectious diseases.) Worse still, anthrax is transmitted in a myriad of ways. = For example, during WW I many in England and the U.S. lost their lives having contracted the disease from using shaving brushes made of horse ha= ir which were imported from Siberia and China. And long before that, about 60,000 in southern Europe died during 1613. Yet that devastating outbreak= was attributable to something as harmless as wearing clothes made of infected wool. Anthrax can also be contracted by simply walking across spore-laden groun= d by someone in their bare feet, or by eating improperly cooked meat. Furthermore, it can be ingested, breathed, or absorbed through the skin. = It is, for lack of a better expression, a diabolical killing agent. = Bear in mind, everything discussed thus far pertains to the natural form,= not to the manmade version. Yet it is the synthesized compound that poses= the greatest threat. Unfortunately, today's genetically engineered monster is much more deviou= s and deadly. For one, it is resistant to what used to suffice as immunization. Second, it is much finer and can be dispersed faster and ov= er larger areas by way of aerosols. And lastly, enough can be manufactured from a single egg and delivered from a handheld device to kill 100,000 people. = There is also substantial evidence to suggest that the Russians have perfected a more advanced biological derivative of anthrax which is said = to be unstoppable. The Associated Press reported this as recently as Februar= y 13, 1998. Coincidentally, that was also a Friday. What's more, there are some varieties of anthrax which attack externally.= This visible type is called "carbuncle," or what some refer to as "coal ulcers." They are fairly easy to recognize because they develop a raised itchy area at the site of entry, progressing to a blister, and then to a black scab. There is also swelling of the surrounding tissues. Subsequently, it spreads to the lymph nodes, which in turn enters the bloodstream. The net result incapacitates the victim by poisoning the blo= od and attacking the nervous system. While you wait for death to come (and i= n some cases, beg), high fever, diarrhea, and profuse vomiting will steadil= y intensify. = So contagious are these spores, that, infected animals are normally incinerated. When lab technicians take samples of a particular animal whi= ch is suspected to have the affliction, they cut off an ear to examine it under a microscope to make an exact determination. In this way, they minimize contact and risk of contamination. So what can you and I do to protect ourselves? = First: PRAY. = Second: Start building up a resistance, and have plenty of antibiotics on= hand. Do this IMMEDIATELY and stick with it. A 500 milligram tablet or capsule a day over a two to six month period is the general rule. = Third: Get immunized with a vaccine. Since most doctors will be reluctant= to administer anti-anthrax medication to alleviate your suspicions, you m= ay have to lie to them. Do it! Tell them you work around livestock, and need= to take precautionary measures. You may have to push a little, but better= that than the alternative. Fourth: Obtain a large supply of disposable surgical face masks. They are= inexpensive, and can be obtained from your local pharmacy. You will not have to wear one for the rest of your life, just during the initial stage= s of an attack. This will prevent a massive dose of spores from getting int= o your lungs, which just happens to be the most lethal strain. = Fifth: Obtain a small butane (or equivalent) torch. If you get external symptoms, you can use the torch to preheat a blade until it glows. For ma= ny years carbuncles were treated by excision and cauterization. Although thi= s is extremely painful, it may be the only way to prevent an agonizing deat= h. For anthrax infection is among the worst diseases known and offers no eas= y way out. Sixth: Stockpile anti-infectives such as hydrogen peroxide (three percent= solution) and bandages; for stopping the spread of infection after cauterization is critical. = Seventh: If possible, stay clear of high populations centers. Be very careful, however, about which place you select as a "safe" refuge. In short, the safest place is deep below ground. Want to find literally thousands of locations? Obtain a survey from the U.S. Geological Service listing existing and abandoned mines in your state. Arizona, for instance= , has over 175,000, not counting numerous caves and caverns. = Eighth: Know that anthrax works best in cool or cold weather conditions. This means that large cities in the northern regions of the country are t= he most vulnerable. Even so, it will still spread like wildfire in low lying= areas along the southern tier. To put it in straightforward terms: anthra= x is more lethal when delivered during the early morning hours; but once people are infected, it spreads quickest where climates are generally mil= d. = When all said and done, preventing infection is the best method to protec= t yourself. But you should assume the worst and prepare for it. For anthrax= with love, this is not. <> =