A case of cutaneous anthrax with toxaemic shock.

We describe a patient who presented with a necrotic black eschar 2 x 2 cm on the neck, extensive erythema around the lesion and massive oedema extending from the lesion to the umbilicus, and involving the whole face. Severe toxaemia and shock developed. Bacillus anthracis was isolated from the lesion. Prednisolone and dopamine failed to reverse the shock. The patient recovered completely with penicillin therapy.