Pycemia and Septicemia. 9 



to the introduction and metabolism of fibrine and other elements, 

 but manifestly arises also from the solution of blood globules, 

 (haemolysis). It comes on within a few hours after a severe op- 

 eration or other cause and lasts from one to three days, terminating 

 in recovery, unless complicated by some intercurrent infection. 



The saprcemic fever, of Mathews Duncan (sapros — putrid, haima 

 — blood) may also be named in this connection. It is associated with 

 one or more of the common saprophytes (Bacillus saprogenes 1 — 2 

 and 3 of Rosenbach, Proteus Vulgaris, Proteus Zenkeri, Proteus 

 mirable, etc.) These are propagated with difficulty in the blood, 

 but grow readily in pus or necrotic tissue from which their toxic 

 products can pass into the blood. 



Again the observations of Brieger and Maas, Ruine, Vaughan, 

 Bourget and others show that the isolated toxins from putrefactive 

 fermentation of animal matters, apart from the living bacteria 

 are capable of producing the characteristic symptoms of 

 septicaemia. 



It is now generally concluded that the septicaemic phenomena 

 can be produced by the introduction of such poisons, whether 

 they are the product of septic fermentations outside the animal 

 poisoned, or of fermentation in dead matter in the economy of 

 such animal. 



Lesions. In fermentation fever no tissue lesions are known. 

 In septicaemia gross lesions are usually lacking unless the case has 

 been prolonged to allow of secondary abscesses (septico-pyaemia). 

 The blood however is dark and coagulates feebly if at all. The 

 spleen is enlarged, softened, dark in color and gorged with blood. 

 There are petechial haemorrhages into the serosae and mucosae, 

 and the solid organs ; cloudy swelling of internal organs from 

 coagulation necrosis ; a parboiled appearance of heart, liver, 

 kidneys and voluntary muscles ; congestion of the lymph glands 

 and usually the presence of the specific microbes in the blood and 

 local lesions. The kidneys are always congested, and their epi- 

 thelia granular and swollen, and there may be exudation between 

 the glomeruli and their capsules. 



Symptoms. Septic intoxication or septic infection may be 

 ushered in by a staring coat or slight chill, but it rarely shows a 

 violent rigor, such as inaugurates pyaemia. There is a rapid rise 

 of temperature (102 to 104 ), which persists for three to seven 



