VACCINE-THERAPY 129 



vents the bactericidal elements from reaching the septic 

 foci. If, however, the abscesses are subcutaneous, evacua- 

 tion of the pus is easy and essential, and vaccine-therapy 

 can do much to complete a cure. 



Where the pyaemia is a sequel to strangles, we always com- 

 bine the vaccine with an antiserum ; and if the temperature 

 is very high, it is advisable to begin with a minimum dose 

 at the outset. If the temperature does not rise too high 

 during the negative phase — in three or five days — we 

 repeat the dose, giving a double quantity. 



Malignant CEdema. 



This condition is seen in several species of the domesticated 

 animals, and is due to a wound infection by the bacillus of 

 malignant oedema. It has a very wide distribution in 

 Nature, but being an anaerobe, it will not grow on open 

 and exposed wounds or where there is a free circulation, 

 preferring deep punctured wounds, such as those produced 

 by the prong of a pickstaff, the point of a shaft or hook, etc. 

 It is also seen in cases of difficult parturition, with injuries 

 to the vagina or vulva. 



Owing to the bacillus evolving gas during its growth, 

 crepitus similar to that seen in quarter-evil is a common 

 symptom. 



The disease runs a very acute course, and unless strong 

 measures are adopted very early, little hope of recovery 

 can be entertained. 



A protective serum, having a certain curative value if 

 u.sed early, is made by exposing the jugular vein of a horse, 

 and injecting increasingly large doses of virulent material. 

 In this way the animal becomes immune to the pathogenic 

 action of the bacillus. 



He is then bled, and the serum collected has prophylactic 

 and curative qualities by reason of its power of stimulating 

 the phagocytes, agglutinins, and antitoxins. 



Locally the wound should be attended to. Free use of 

 the knife should be made, to allow all the air possible to 



