CHAPTER XXII 



SPECIFIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES PRODUCED BY COCCI 



No hard-and-fast lines can be drawn between the specific 

 and non-specific infections produced by cocci. The relationship 

 and possible identity of some of the organisms here discussed, with 

 the forms discussed in the preceding chapter, will be made evident. 

 Some of the infections here classed as specific should possibly be 

 considered under the general heading of Streptococcus pyogenes. 

 The diseases described are, however, recognized as clinical entities, 

 and are, therefore, worthy of somewhat more lengthy consideration. 



Several of the diseases here discussed are caused by Strepto- 

 cocci: strangles in horses (Streptococcus equi), apoplectiform 

 septicemia in chickens (Str. gallinarum), verrucose vaginitis of 

 cattle (Str. sp.), abortion in mares (Str. sp.); the remainder are 

 caused by Micrococci: pneumonia (Micrococcus pneumonia or 

 lanceolatus) , epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in man (M. menin- 

 gitidis) and in horses (M. intracellularis equi) , Malta fever in goats 

 and man (M. melitensis) , takosis in goats (M. caprinus) , gonorrhea 

 in man (M. gonorrhoea), and botryomycosis in various domestic 

 animals (M. ascoformans) . 



The Streptococci of this group all closely resemble the Strepto- 

 coccus pyogenes, and possibly are specialized varieties of that organ- 

 ism. Many of the Micrococci are characteristically grouped as 

 diplococci, particularly in the tissues. 



Streptococcus equi 



Synonyms. Streptococcus coryzce contagiosce equorum. 



Disease Produced. Strangles or distemper in equines. 



The disease strangles in horses has a long recorded history. 

 It was described by Solleysel in 1664, and its contagious nature 

 determined by Lafosse in 1790. Schiitz (1888) first isolated and 



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