i66 PATHOLOGY 



ASIATIC CHOLERA 



Definition. An acute infectious disease caused by 

 the Cholera spirillum, characterized by violent purging 

 and rapid collapse. 



Etiology. The specific cause of this disease is the 

 Cholera spirillum. Infection occurs in the intestine, as 

 in typhoid fever, the source of infection being food or 

 drink contaminated with the excretions of cholera 

 patients. That predisposing causes exist is evidenced 

 by the frequent presence of virulent cholera germs in 

 the stools of healthy individuals. What the predis- 

 posing factors may be we are as yet unable to say, 

 though depressing emotions, fear, and debility may 

 have something to do with an increased susceptibility. 



Morbid Anatomy. The peritoneum is sticky and the 

 intestines congested and shrunken. Peyer's glands and 

 Brunner's glands are enlarged. The mucosa is swollen 

 and congested. The germs are found in the intestinal 

 contents and mucous membrane. There is more or less 

 fatty degeneration of the liver and cloudy swelling and 

 extensive coagulation necrosis of the kidneys. 



Morbid Physiology. The profound disturbances of 

 function which occur in this disease are due to the toxin 

 of the germ. There are vomiting and diarrhea. Secre- 

 tion of the urine and saliva are arrested and the blood 

 becomes thick, due to the rapid extraction of water 

 from the body in the watery stools. 



