482 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



In pyaemia there is, in addition to these symptoms, the formation of 

 abscesses in various parts of the body, sometimes on the surface, at others 

 in one or more of the internal organs. The lungs, brain, liver, and 

 kidneys, in some instances the joints of the extremities, are the parts 

 most frequently invaded. The duration of pyaemia is more protracted 

 than in the other forms of septicaemia, and although very fatal, it is not 

 so generally destructive. 



Treatment. In dealing with this form of disease it is of the first 

 importance that the strength of the patient should, as far as possible, be 

 upheld. If the appetite fails, as is usually the case, eggs and milk should 

 be freely given three or four times in the course of the day. 



The flagging heart must be stimulated by the administration of brandy, 

 whisky, or gin, with which quinine should be given three or four times, 

 or more, in the twenty-four hours. 



Where wounds exist they should receive prompt attention. The hair 

 should be removed from about them, and the surrounding skin and the 

 wounded surface must be thoroughly washed with well-boiled water and 

 then freely irrigated with some antiseptic solution, after which it should be 

 enclosed in antiseptic wool, and be carefully dressed as occasion requires. 



7. THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION AND THE 

 RESPIRATORY PROCESS 



The act of breathing is so intimately associated with the continuance 

 of life that we commonly speak of the " first" and " last" breath as terms 

 synonymous with the beginning and end of existence. Yet that which 

 is referred to in this sense is really only the outward movement or visible 

 mechanism of respiration, that is to say, the means by which the intro- 

 duction and expulsion of air is effected, and takes no heed of the changes 

 that take place in the air, in the blood, and in the tissues of the animal. 

 These, however, represent the true end and aim of the respiratory process, 

 for experiment has shown that the persistent manifestation of life is 

 invariably associated with the absorption of oxygen and the elimination 

 of carbon dioxide, that .the exchange of these gases is properly termed 

 the process of respiration, and that it is accomplished in all parts of 

 the system. Every tissue, but, above all, the muscular, develops carbon- 

 dioxide in its substance, which, by means of the capillary circulation, 

 is brought into relation with the blood which has taken up oxygen 



