SUPPURATION, PY^MIA, SEPTICAEMIA, ERYSIPELAS. 175 



Karlinski tabulated his cases thus : 



PY^MIA AND SEPTICAEMIA. 



When pyogenic micrococci get access to the blood stream they 

 may be carried into distant parts, and by multiplying produce meta- 

 static abscesses in the lymphatic glands, bones, joints, and internal 

 organs, a condition which is recognised as pyaemia. 



If there is a general invasion of the blood stream by micrococci, 

 and absorption of their poisonous products, septicaemia results, and 

 death may occur before the development of any secondary lesions. 

 When septic micro-organisms multiply locally, and their chemical 

 products are absorbed, or their products are separated from putrid 

 material and injected into the circulation, the result may be called 

 sapraymia. The blood in septicaemia contains living organisms, and is 

 infective. The blood in sapraemia contains only the toxic chemical 

 products, and is not infective. The one is septic infection and the 

 other septic intoxication. Pyaemia may follow accidental wounds, 

 surgical operations, parturition, acute suppuration of bones, scarlet 

 fever, typhoid fever, and other diseases. 



To avoid pyaemia in surgery and midwifery, the greatest care 

 must be taken to prevent micro-organisms from being conveyed by 

 instruments, sponges, bandages, and by the hands of the surgeon 

 or the obstetric physician. By the use of antiseptics and absolute 

 cleanliness the chances of infection are reduced to a minimum. 



