SEPTIC BLOOD DISEASES. 399 



subcutaneous connective tissue inoculation, but not by in- 

 travenous injection, or when applied to superticial scratches 

 on the skin ; the microbes, being anaerobic, are killed by the 

 oxygen, and granulating wounds form an insuperable barrier. 

 Chauveau says that a first infection confers immunity. 



Some observers state that whilst the guinea-pig, goat, sheep, 

 dog, horse, fowls, pigeons are susceptible to malignant oedema 

 inoculation, cattle are absolutely refractory ; but Kitt states that 

 he has induced the disease in calves as well as in the other 

 animals specified above ; and further, that these bacilii are pro- 

 bably the cause of several diseases in cattle, such as septic 

 parturition fever, surgical tumefactions, progressive inflamma- 

 tion of connective tissue, &c. 



In the cedema of the septic centre the bacillus is found in 

 the form of a rod with a spore at one end, or devoid of the spore, 

 in which case it is of a slightly greater length ; in serous 

 membranes it reaches a considerable length, and becomes 

 segmented into non-sporulated sections, and only invades the 

 circulating blood towards the end of the disease or after 

 death. They are little affected by antiseptics, but are killed by 

 boiling for fifteen minutes and by a dry temperature of about 

 250° r., and Cornevin states that by continuing the action of 

 heat and antiseptics he has obtained a vaccine which confers a 

 safe immunity on animals, and particularly the dog, against 

 septicaemia. 



The bacillus is a rod measuring 4 mm. in length by 

 1 mm. in breadth, with or without a terminal spore, but, 

 as already stated, it may be much longer in serosities ; it is 

 motile, having very active flexuous movements, quickly arrested 

 by contact with oxygen, and slowly loses its virulence through 

 the influences of putrefaction (two months, thus differing from 

 the Bacillus Chauveau, upon which putrefaction has no effect). 

 Chauveau and Arloing state that corrosive sublimate 1 to 500 

 does not kill it, and a three per cent, carbolic solution has no 

 effect unless assisted by heat. Sulphurous acid, however, seems 

 to have a rather powerful effect upon it. It is preserved when 

 dried even at 100° F. 



Syviptoms. — Experimental inoculations in the connective 

 tissues, particularly when protected from air, are followed by 

 an oedematous, doughy, sensitive, and crepitant swelling, ex- 

 tending in all directions, and there is intense reaction. The 



