112 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY AND 



appetite, with more than one joint involved, and in addi- 

 tion, perhaps, pneumonic lesions are diagnosed, an acute 

 septicemia has become established, and little hope of 

 recovery is likely to follow, in such a case as this vaccine- 

 therapy will avail but little; but should the disease be 

 running a slow and insidious course, and the circulation 

 comparatively free from bacteria or their toxins, much can 

 be done by using suitable vaccines. 



The writer has isolated from the joints of cattle a strepto- 

 coccus similar to those obtained from cows infected with 

 endometritis, and in one case a streptococcus has been 

 obtained from the blood of a case suffering from septicaemia 

 and metritis with arthritic complications. 



We do not get the same bursal distensions in cows as is 

 seen in foals with pyasmic arthritis, and this is no doubt 

 due to the fact that in the young animal the bursas are 

 more elastic and distend more freely on pressure than in 

 older animals. We therefore have not the same necessity, 

 nor do we derive the same benefit from aspirating the joint 

 of the cow that we obtain by so doing in the foal. 



In treating septicemic arthritis in cattle, we must 

 endeavour to destroy the bacteria at the source of infec- 

 tion. If it is a retained piece of placenta it must be 

 removed ; if it is a septic uterine wound it must be rendered 

 aseptic. Then we must see the blood is kept as free as 

 possible from bacteria or their products, in assisting Nature 

 to get rid of effete material by keeping the eliminative 

 organs free. And, lastly, we must help her to elaborate 

 her protective forces by using appropriate vaccines. 



When one has a case showing symptoms of infection or 

 intoxication, with premonitory joint lesions, or when a 

 placenta, even, has been retained, and it appears to be taking 

 a serious turn, one is fully justified in giving as a prophy- 

 lactic a polyvalent staphylococcal and streptococcal stock 

 vaccine, and, if preferred, combined with an antistrepto- 

 coccal serum. But to be of any real service the bacterial 

 emulsion should be taken from a culture derived from 



