Title: On the discovery of Bacillus botulinus

Authors: Andy Pickett

Addresses: Biologicals Manufacturing Support and Technology, Ipsen Group, Ash Road North, Wrexham LL13 9UF, UK

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.

Keywords: bacillus botulinus; botulinum; botulism; origin; discovery; Belgium.

DOI: 10.1504/TBJ.2008.018957

The Botulinum Journal, 2008 Vol.1 No.1, pp.5 - 6

Published online: 25 Jun 2008 *

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