Scurvy : Scorbiitus. 559 



quarters suggests an epizootic or infective element, and Cornevin, 

 Hess and otliers attribute the disease in pigs to the germ of 

 er\-sipelas. vStengel has produced purpuric disease in animals 

 by inoculation of the extravasated blood from human scurv}' 

 patients. Miiller and Babes found a slender bacillus and strepto- 

 cocci in the tissues of scorbutic gums. The bacillus was present 

 in the mouth of non-scurvy persons. Borutrager found cocci in 

 tiie spleen. Berthensen alleges that after complete recover}' the 

 disease does not attack the same person a second time, which, if 

 confirmed, will go far to establish a bacteridian origin. There 

 is considerable presumption of the existence of a microbian cause, 

 the efficiency (jf which is dependent on the unhygienic conditions 

 above .stated, while these unwholesome conditions are equally 

 non-pathogenic in the absence of the microbe. 



Lesions. The blood is black and incoagulable or clots loosely, 

 rigor mortis is slight, changes may be found in the number and 

 character of thf^ white and red blood globules, but are not constant, 

 there is usually an excess of sodium salts and deficiency of 

 pota.ssium ones, and there is marked petechialion of the skin, 

 mucosae and serosse. The bone marrow may be abnormalh' red and 

 the bones fractured at the epiphyses, or carious. The addition of 

 the gum lesions makes the case characteristic. The gums are .soft- 

 ened, swollen, red and uneven, with haeniorrhagic di.scoloration, 

 erosions, necrotic areas and ulcers. 



Symptoms. Anorexia or fastidious appetite, prostration, de- 

 bility and sluggish indifferent movements, are followed by the 

 local lesions on the skin and gums. On the skin appear petechiae, 

 and extra\asations, which often im])licate the bristles, so that 

 tliey ma)- be shed or pulled out with ease, the bulbs appearing 

 dark and bloodstained (bristle rot). These may be followed bj^ 

 necrotic sloughs, and deep ulcers that are slow to heal. The 

 gums are red and swollen, with haemorrhagic spots, and bleed on 

 the slightest touch. Erosions, sores and ulcers are not uncom- 

 mon, the tongue is dry and furred, and the mouth exhales a foetid 

 odor. The teeth may become loose in their .sockets. Swelling of 

 the joints, from haemorrhage or effusion, may be noticed, and 

 lameness or stiffness from nuiscular or intermuscular extravasation. 

 Blood effusions into the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye 

 have been noticed and paralytic or comatose symptoms from 



