86 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



dermically), iodide of potassium, are drugs used. Locally, ice or cold 

 applications to the head. 



SEPTICEMIA. 



What is septicaemia ? 



Septica3inia comes from septico, signifying " putrefaction," and 

 hcemia, " blood." 



It is a constitutional disease due to the absorption into the 

 blood of decomposed dead matter from a wound; or it is a putrid 

 infection of the blood, associated with certain constitutional symp- 

 toms and caused by bacteria. 



Healthy blood will destroy bacteria if they are in small quan- 

 tities, but if in large quantities they poison the blood. 



What are the symptoms ? 



These vary with the amount of septic material present. There 

 is a slight chill, followed by fever, with a rapid rise of temperature, 

 being as high as 105° or 106°; there is dulness of the special senses, 

 and prostration; the skin is hot and dry, there being hardly any 

 perspiration; the secretions and excretions are often tinged with 

 blood; the urine contains a large amount of urates; the mucous 

 membranes are of a dirty yellowish color and ecchymosed. 



The pulse is small, weak, and quick, the respirations are feeble 

 and difficult, and there is bloody diarrhoea in the majority of cases. 

 The lymphatic glands become swollen all over the body, and it is 

 through this channel that the septic material gets into the circu- 

 lation. 



How is septicaemia diagnosed ? 



From the fact that these symptoms appear in animals where 

 we expect to see this condition, following gangrenous^wounds and 

 the like. 



What is the prognosis ? 



If the symptoms are severe and the constitution of the animal 

 is weak, the prognosis is grave; in the milder forms the prognosis 

 is more favorable. 



What is the morbid anatomy ? 



The blood is darker than normal; it coagulates less readily, and 

 contains pus microbes. The spleen is enlarged and softer; the lym- 

 phatic glands show signs of inflammation; the various viscera are 



