228 PYiEMIA— SEPTICEMIA. 



most febrile states, this high temperature being markedly mi- 

 steady, and, although always high, it is subject to much varia- 

 tion : the entire symptoms partake of a rather remittent 

 character, the changes being of a very erratic type. In some 

 instances where numerous abscesses form in internal organs, 

 there are special indications of such in accordance with the 

 situations where these are encountered. From their frequency 

 in lung-tissue, pneumonia is a rather frequent accompaniment. 

 The diofcstive orj-ans are much disturbed, while the mucous 

 merabranes, and even the skin, may exhibit petechial markings 

 or a distinctly icteric condition. When following mjuries or 

 wounds inflicted in operative interference, there is usually 

 at the outset of the pj^ffimic state, from three to five days 

 subsequent to the infliction of the injury, certain marked 

 local changes around the wound itself; the tissues seem 

 infiltrated, the wound being of an angry character, this 

 infiltration steadily but rapidly passing on to cedema and gan- 

 grene of the connective-tissue, with a discharge of ichorous 

 material and the development of gases in the subcutaneous 

 structures. Embolism may or may not occur, but the con- 

 dition is probably more serious with obstructed vessels than 

 apart from such. When accompanying such diseased states 

 as the specific fevers, the symptoms of its accession are usually 

 delayed until the fever has passed its height, a fresh develop- 

 ment of physical symptoms marking its inroad. Cases of 

 pyiemia or septicaemia when fully established, whether asso- 

 ciated with external wounds or appearing during the course of 

 any disease, are extremely dangerous, and in the majority of 

 instances prove fatal. 



Treatment. — AVhen occurring as an accompaniment or sequel 

 of some general disease, the line of treatment which promises 

 most favourable results is that of aflbrding direct suj^port to 

 the suft'cring by the use of good, easily assimilated food while 

 the animal still continues to feed ; or ordinary food may be 

 supplemented with such articles as milk, raw eggs, good beef- 

 tea, and the administration of alcohoHc stimulants, Avitli such 

 tonics as quinine, iron, or arsenic. In some cases benefit has 

 seemed to follow the addition to these of regular and mode- 

 rate doses of carbolic acid. In the case of wounds, in addi- 

 tion to the constitutional treatment indicated, every atten- 



