DISEASES FROM SEPTIC INFECTION OF WOUNDS 363 



tissues. This is especially noticeable where the wall of the vessel is 

 crushed, forming a thrombus, and this thrombus, lying in the IjIoocI vessel, 

 becoming infected from the wound, produces suppuration and breaks 

 down, and is carried into the general circulation and deposited in some 

 part or organ of the body, setting up an irritation, and a consequent 

 formation of an abscess. This condition is termed "metastatic abscess." 



The therapeutics are the same as those of lymphangitis. Open 

 the wound as soon as possil)le and thoroughl}' disinfect the abscess. 



Fever. — Concerning the clinical symptoms of fever, we have giA^en 

 all necessar}' details on page 9. The fever which accompanies wounds 

 varies greatly in intensity according to the cause. The following are 

 the different varieties of wound fever: 



1. Aseptic Wound Fever. — This is produced by entrance into the 

 circulation of the blood of harmless substances (water, irrigating fluids, 

 non-decomposed wound secretions, and fibrinous ferments). This 

 occurs in the majority of cases shorti}' after the animal receives the 

 wound, and causes very slight disorder in the general condition. The 

 rise of temperature is generally the only visible symptom in the dog. 

 There is no alteration in the appetite, and the temperature is reduced 

 within a few hours; in very rare cases it may be slightly increased for 

 two or even three days. 



2. Septic Wound Fever and Septicaemia. — As soon as putrid or 

 decayed sul)stances find their way into the system by means of a wound 

 the symptoms of fever appear rapidly. If they are mild in character, 

 it is called "septic wound fever;" if they are acute, presenting symptoms 

 which may endanger the life of the animal, it is called "septicaemia." 

 Septic wound fever and septicaemia are only separated by their degree of 

 intensity, otherwise they are similar. There is one difference that we 

 will point out between septic poisoning and septic infection, and that is, 

 in the first form, the micro-organisms which produce putrefaction are to 

 be found only in the centre of infection and not in the blood, while in the 

 second form the centre of infection is in the blood and in the tissues. 



Septicaemia appears, as a rule, thirty-six to forty-eight hours after 

 the injury with an increase of temperature as high as 40.5°, rarely above, 

 and showing a remittent character marked by depression, fatigue, and 

 loss of appetite, the last being very rare. If the wound is treated quickly 

 and rendered thoroughly antiseptic, the symptoms rapidly disappear. 

 The most dangerous forms of septicaemia which occur most frequently in 

 the dog ajDpear two to four days after the injury, showing a general disturb- 

 ance of the system, and frequently without presenting any unusual 

 symptoms in the wound itself. The temperature is rarely increased to 

 any extent. Move often it is normal or subnormal. "We are not able, there- 

 fore, to place any dependence on the temperature as far as prognosis 



