In medical jurisprudence. A popular name for malignant anthrax, a disease characterized by malignant pustules or carbuncles, caused by infection by putrid animal matter containing the bacillus anthracls, and chiefly prevalent among persons whose business is to handle wool and hides, such as tanners, butchers, and herdsmen. See Bacon v. United States Mut Acc. Ass’n, 123 N. Y. 304, 25 N. E. 399, 9 L. R. A. 617, 20 Am. St Rep. 748.