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Botulism



Botulism, acute type of food poisoning, often fatal, caused by a toxin produced by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium botulinum and C. parabotulinum, which normally live in soil but may infect poorly canned food. The toxin paralyzes the nervous system. Thorough cooking destroys both bacteria and toxin.



See also: Toxin.

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21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia - Black haw to Boulez, Pierre