On the discovery of Bacillus botulinus. (26th June 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pickett, Andy
• Is Part Of: Botulinum journal. Volume 1:Number 1(2008)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2008-06-26
• Subjects: bacillus botulinus -- botulinum -- botulism -- origin -- discovery -- Belgium; Botulinum toxin -- Periodicals; Clostridium botulinum -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; 615.9529364
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-7318

Abstract

On 14 December 1895, 34 people were eating pickled and smoked ham at a meal in the restaurant Le Rustic, in the town of Ellezelles in Belgium, after a funeral. Three musicians who played at the funeral meal subsequently died. This very brief contribution outlines the discovery and naming of the organism Bacillus botulinus, which occurred in a paper published in 1897 following an investigation into the deaths.