PY^EMIC ARTHKITIS 287 



PY^MIC ARTHRITIS 



This is one of the most destructive of joint ailments. Foals a few days 

 old are its most common victims, although now and again older horses 

 suffer from it also. It ranks with the infective diseases, and results from 

 the entrance of septic organisms into the blood -stream through a wound 

 or broken surface. It is very destructive of joints, and the patient rarely 

 recovers. 



Causes. It occurs in foals a few days after birth, when the newly 

 broken navel-string affords an opportunity for the entrance of septic 

 organisms into the blood-stream through the vessels of the cord. 



Males are more frequently attacked than females. The most susceptible 

 period is from five days to three weeks old. 



The onset of the disease is marked by slight dulness and depression, 

 with a disposition to lie about. This is quickly followed by swelling on 

 one or more of the joints, chiefly the stifle, knee, hock, or elbow. 



From the rapidity with which the swelling develops and the intensity 

 of the lameness, owners and attendants frequently refer the disorder to 

 injury inflicted by the dam, an impression which is sometimes difficult 

 to remove until joint after joint becomes involved in the disease. The 

 enlargement of the joint commences by distension of the capsule, and soon 

 extends to the surrounding tissues. It is hot, firm, and painful to the 

 touch; small, soft, fluctuating points appear here and there, which break 

 and discharge a quantity of yellowish-gray pus (matter). The lameness is 

 very severe and mostly forbids the imposition of weight upon the limb, 

 which is carried or lightly brought into contact with the ground during 

 progression. 



In addition to these local symptoms there are noticeable a high tem- 

 perature, increased respiration, great prostration, an indisposition to suck, 

 and other signs of a fever attack. 



Death usually takes place from the fourth to the eighth day after the 

 onset of the disease. In some cases it kills in thirty-six hours, and in 

 others it is prolonged over three or four or more weeks. 



Treatment of pysemic arthritis is discouraging to the last degree,, and 

 the percentage of recoveries so small as to be regarded as a negligible 

 quantity. 



It is rare indeed that recovery takes place, for in addition to extensive 

 disorganization of joints the blood is saturated with the poison of pyaemia, 

 and the young thing has but little strength to resist it. 



In the few cases where life is preserved the damaging effects of the 



