The history of biologic warfare and bioterrorism

Biologic weapons have been used since ancient times in war, and, more recently, by terrorists. From the catapulting of plague corpses over city walls in the Middle Ages to the bacterial contamination of salad bars in Oregon in 1984 by the Rajneeshee cult, the long history of biologic weapons use underscores their current threat. In preparing for the threat of biologic weapons, health care professionals should not only be familiar with the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of the diseases they produce, but also with the historic context of their past uses.