fuckyeahmedicalstuff:

effyeahmicrobiology:

inhalation of Bacillus anthracis bacteria or spores leads to very serious disease, historically lethal in over 90% of cases, and with very early treatment reduced to only 45% mortality.  the main pathological cause of disease are toxins produced the bacteria, primarily lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET).  in a recent study, these toxins were shown to have devastating effects on the cardiovascular and renal systems, causing and prolonging systemic shock; the toxins also have an effect on the ability of the immune system to clear the infection, leading to bacterial overload.  further research could lead to the development of anti-toxins to LT and ET, which could help significantly reduce the mortality of anthrax disease.

primary source: Toxins

Inhalation anthrax is what the people who people contracted in the post-9/11 bioterrorism incidents, but anthrax itself is an ancient disease. Cutaneous anthrax was one of the first diseases with recorded symptoms in ancient manuscripts. Until recently, anthrax of all kinds was a legitimate occupational hazard for those working with unprocessed animal hides and furs.