Diagnosis, Prognosis, Treatment. §57 



regard is the very marked diminution of red blood corpuscles, 

 with which the falhng of the hemoglobin content is not propor- 

 tionate; the striking poikilocytosis and the presence of large 

 erythroblasts are further indicative of the disease. The inter- 

 current febrile manifestations which may be present and the 

 relatively good appearance of the animals also deserve full 

 consideration. — Leukemia and pseudo-leukemia may be excluded 

 by the absence of swelling of the honph glands. — In infectious 

 anemia of horses the blood examination reveals indications of 

 a simple anemia, moreover the appearance of the disease in 

 connection with the introduction of newly purchased horses, as 

 well as its infectious nature, points to that disease. It appears 

 to be advisable to eliminate the suspicion of infectious anemia 

 only when the non-infectious nature of the disease has- been 

 established on the ground of long continued observations, his- 

 tory, animal experiments, and by accessory conditions. — 

 Although sub-acute encephilitis, and cerebral meningitis are 

 associated with similar depressions, in these conditions the blood 

 shows no important changes. Special stress should be laid 

 upon excluding septicemic affections of slow development, 

 which can usually be accomplished when the blood and the 

 other organs are carefully examined and all accessory condi- 

 tions are considered. The form of influenza of horses which 

 was named ''Skalma" by Dieckerhoff often produces a long- 

 lasting severe anemia. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is always unfavorable. In 

 human medicine there is not a single unobjectionable case known 

 which did not terminate fatally. The recoveries observed in 

 animals must be judged carefully, since confusion with other 

 diseases cannot be altogether excluded. 



Treatment. According to observations made hitherto, even 

 a rational treatment can at the best only prolong the course 

 of the disease. A suitable regulation of the diet, keeping the 

 animals out of doors or in well-ventilated stables and moderate 

 exercise, should first of all be considered. Of medicinal remedies 

 iron and arsenical preparations (arsenic, Fowler's solution, 

 atoxyl, see p. 850), natrium kakodylicum (for dogs 0.1-0.3 gm. 

 subcutaneously), may be employed. In human medicine intra- 

 venous infusion of blood and of salt solution, as well as sub- 

 cutaneous injections of blood give relatively satisfactory results 

 (Benczur). Of these, especially the last-named method could 

 occasionally be utihzed also in animals. 



Literature. Ehrlich, Lazams & Pinkus, Die Anamie. Wien, 1898.— Grawit?, 

 D. m. W., 1904. 1092. — Johne, S. B., 1884. 60. — Tallquist, Z. f. klin. Med., LXI. 

 427. 



