On the discovery of Clostridium botulinum

Abstract

A description is given of a food intoxication in 1895 at Ellezelles, a village in Belgium. As a result 3 persons died within a few days and others became seriously ill. A thorough investigation by E. van Ermengem led to the discovery of Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxin. About 75 years later a subtype of the toxin proved to be highly effective in the treatment of dystonias and is now widely used.