594 MICROBIOLOGY OF THE DISEASES OF MAN AND ANIMALS. 



When the work of Pasteur and Lister became fully comprehended 

 such epidemics ceased to exist. 



Natural streptococcic infections have been described in horses and 

 cattle and among the laboratory animals, but as a rule such disease is 

 much rarer in animals than in the human being. 



The period of incubation is probably about one to three days. 



The symptoms of septicaemia begin with a rapid rise of temperature 

 which may reach 105 F. or even higher. Chills accompany the fever and 

 are often severe. The pulse is rapid, irregular and weak and the respira- 

 tion labored. There may be vomiting and constipation or diarrhoea. 

 Headache is more or less severe with sometimes delirium. In cases 

 lasting for several days the skin appears slightly jaundiced. The urine 

 is of the usual febrile type and as a rule shows the microorganism causing 

 the disease. Death may occur in two or three days or within a week or 

 in milder cases may be followed by recovery. 



After death from septicaemia the body tends to putrefy rapidly. 

 The glandular organs all tend to be swollen and soft, especially the spleen, 

 and parenchymatous degenerations are found to a greater or less extent. 

 The lining membrane of the heart and vessels is blood stained, a rather 

 characteristic feature of streptococcic septicaemia. Bronchitis and bron- 

 cho-pneumonia are usually found. 



Erysipelas is an inflammation of the skin, occasionally of mucous 

 membranes, and the name is applied now only when the condition is 

 brought about by streptococci. The inflamed area is very definitely out- 

 lined and may present blebs of a greater or less size. Oedema may be 

 very marked where the skin covers loose tissue. Fever is present with its 

 usual accompaniments. There may be vomiting, constipation or diar- 

 rhoea. There may be severe headaches or delirium. In fatal cases, 

 death may occur without any apparent complication, or it may 

 follow meningitis, pericarditis, nephritis or some other sequel. In simple 

 uncomplicated fatal cases the liver, kidneys and spleen are swollen and 

 soft and show degenerative changes in the gland cells. 



Pasteur, Koch, Rosenbach and Fehleisen divide the earlier honors 

 in the gradual working out of the relationships of streptococci to 

 disease. 



Blood culture in plain broth in the case of septicaemia or inoculation 

 of plain nutrient agar from pus are practically always successful. 

 Growth is never luxuriant on the ordinary media. Cultivation from cases 



