157 



Zhc Storv) of Birt)-2)eatb. 



By W. Geo. CreSWELI,, M.D. Durh., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. 

 (Continued from page 123). 



" a^^-. | ' HiLE varying in some particulars in different 

 I (I animals, septicaemia presents certain gen- 

 V.^J eral phenomena which are found in man 

 and all other animals alike. Before des- 

 cribing the special conditions found in birds, it will 

 be well therefore to give a sketch of the main patho- 

 logical changes as commonly seen ; but if in my 

 description of the disease, either in its general or in 

 its avian aspect, I appear to treat of it too technically 

 and too minutely for a popular treatise, I must beg 

 my readers' forbearance, not only because they cannot 

 know too much on the subject, but also because, when 

 we come to deal with the question of tuberculosis, it 

 will be found that the more fully we have discussed 

 septicaemia, the easier it will be to realize the nature 

 of that lamentable confusion between the two diseases 

 which has been so universal in lay and professional 

 circles alike. 



When the specific organisms, to which attention 

 has already been drawn, and which may or may not 

 be accompanied by certain pyogenic or pus forming 

 cocci (streptococci), have gained access to the blood 

 by one or more of the channels open to them, they 

 proceed to multiply therein with great rapidity.* In 

 direct ratio to their varying degree of virulence, and 

 in inverse ratio to the equally variable amount of 

 resistive power they happen to encounter, they also 

 throw out into the blood their chemical toxins or 

 virus. All this together constitutes the septicsemic 

 infection. 



The blood vessels then are the field in which 

 these organisms on the one side and the antitoxins or 



• Bird Notes. Vol. II. pp. 114 and 153. 



