GENERAL DISEASES. 77 



The intestinal mucous membrane is softened, deeper in 

 colour, and studded with rounded infiltrations. Peyer's 

 patches are enlarged ; the peritoneum presents blood extra- 

 vasations, and the folds often contain a yellowish exudation. 

 The mesenteric glands are swollen and infiltrated, and the 

 veins all over the body contain dark blood. 



The pleurae are ecchymosed and stained, and the pericar- 

 dium and endocardium are similarly affected. The walls of 

 the heart are weak and flabby, and the pericardial sac contains 

 fluid. The lungs may or may not be congested, and there is 

 frothy mucus in the air-tubes, and the lining membrane is 

 infiltrated. The spleen is enlarged, sometimes being treble 

 the ordinary size, and is friable and full of black tarry- 

 looking blood. The liver is abnormally friable. The pelvis 

 of the kidney and the lining of the bladder are ecchymosed. 



The brain is congested, and its membranes also. There 

 is also effusion into the subarachnoid space. The spinal cord 

 and its membranes are similarly affected. There is infiltra- 

 tion of the yellowish exudation into the retro-pharyngeal 

 and laryngeal tissues. 



In anthrax attended by local manifestations, we shall find 

 carbuncular elevations, above described, and large, deep, 

 yellow ulcerated cavities. 



Blood. — There is decrease in the elements of fibrine ; the 

 white cells are increased in number ; the red cells cohere in 

 masses, and are shrunken. 



Bacilli may be observed under the microscope as cylin- 

 drical rods 5-20 /^ in length, and about 1 //, in breadth, 

 straight, with slightly concave ends and motionless. The 

 rods elongate into filaments which divide by fusion. Spores 

 develop at 30° to 35° C, and give a beaded appearance. 



If the temperature is lower than this, spores are not 

 developed, nor are they formed if the temperature is above 

 40° to 47° C. 



