MORBID ANATOMY 



47 



interesting from the fact that in the beginning the disease is 

 general but later in its course it becomes a series, exceedingly 

 variable in diflFerent individuals, of localized morbid foci. 

 The lymphatic glands seem to suffer most, although any organ 

 may be involved. As indicated by the symptoms, the lesions 

 in most cases are characterized by an acute inflammatory pro- 

 cess followed by suppuration. 



The glandular swellings about the head usually terminate 

 in suppuration, the pus discharging either externally or into 

 the oral cavity. In other cases the pus undergoes caseation. 

 Frequently the inflamed glands become confluent, resulting in 

 a single large abscess. Small abscesses may occur under the 

 pharyngeal mucosa. 



The inflammation may extend to the superficial lymph 

 vessels of the skin, especially of the head, resulting in the for- 

 mation of a large number of small abscesses. This may be 

 followed by a diffuse phlegmonous swelling of the parts. 

 Metastatic abscesses are liable to occur in a great variety of 

 organs. The metastasis seems to take place through both 

 lymph and blood vessels although the lymphatic glands are 

 most often affected. Suppurating foci have been described in 

 nearly every lymphatic gland in the body. The discharge of 

 pus from the bronchial, mesenteric or other glands, within or 

 adjacent to the pleura or peritoneal cavities, may give rise to 

 a fatal pleuritis or peritonitis. There is no organ of the body 

 free from possible suppurative lesions as a result of metastasis. 



Strangles may become chronic, especially when the nasal 

 catarrh extends into the sinuses of the head, in the guttural 

 pouches, or pharyngeal cavity. In these cases the animal be- 

 comes emaciated. The lesions in these cases resemble some- 

 what those of chronic glanders. Many complications are 

 liable to arise. Mixed infections and secondary lesions often 

 occur. The prognosis, however, is favorable. 



Death from strangles is caused usually by either septi- 

 cemia, pyemia, pleuritis, peritonitis or suppurating (metas- 

 tatic) pneumonia. 



The duration of the disease varies according to its severity 



