Biological Therapy 



129 



the head and throat. As pneumonia is a very common com- 

 plication the disease is of a serious nature and in localities 

 where the infection is known to exist methods should be 

 employed to prevent and abort attacks. 



ETIOLOGY. Although not conclusively proven, it is 

 now generally conceded that streptococcus equi is the etio- 

 logical factor. In a large percentage of cases this organism 

 may be isolated in pure culture from the abscesses associated 

 with strangles and in fatal cases from various organs. In 

 some cases streptococcus pyogenes is associated with the 

 above mentioned organism. 



SYMPTOMS. Animals from two to five years of age are 

 most susceptible. It Is very uncommon for an animal to 

 suffer a second attack as it is also for older animals to de- 

 velop the disease. 



Among the first symptoms are high fiuctuating tempera- 

 ture, inappetence, pica and general depression. Circum- 

 scribed hard swellings soon develop in the submaxillary and 

 parotid regions at which time considerable difficulty in swal- 

 lowing is observed. A mucopurulent rhinitis practically 

 always occurs. As a result there develop first sneezing and 

 a watery discharge followed in a few days by a very thick, 

 tenacious discharge. Empyema of the sinuses frequently de- 

 velops. The swellings, at first circumscribed, soon become 

 diffuse as a result of an edematous, periglandular infiltration. 



This frequently fills up the entire intermaxillary space. 

 Abscess formation is comparatively rapid. Death may re- 

 sult from suffocation due to occlusion of the larynx through 

 edema while some danger exists of abscesses forming in the 

 throat and discharging into the larynx. Unless the various 

 abscesses are incised early in their development considerable 

 sloughing usually follows. As the disease progresses sym- 

 toms of a general toxemia are seen. The bowels become 

 inactive, depression increases, edematous swellings of the 

 extremities occur, the pulse becomes weak and thready and 

 a septicemia is established. In many instances death is 

 directly due to pneumonia. 



TREATMENT. Sick animals should, if possible, be iso- 

 lated due to the contagious nature of the disease. Early 

 incision and free drainage of all abscesses should be carried 

 out. Hot applications are frequently of benefit in relieving 

 the stagnant circulation and edema. In addition they some- 



