404 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



in which the organisms were localized, but in which their toxins were 

 diffused in the blood. Pyemia was made to represent that condition 

 where the organisms were localized, but in which the pus was trans- 

 ported by the blood. These terms now are applied to conditions in 

 which both the organisms and their toxins, or the pus, are present 

 in the blood. The term septicemia is indicated where intoxication 

 is the more pronounced symptom and pj^emia where pus formation 

 and metastatic or secondary abscess formation are observed. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of both diseases include primarily a 

 high fever (104° to 107° F.). Coupled with this there is disinclina- 

 tion to move, the animal is depressed and not cognizant of its sur- 

 roundings. The pulse is rapid, small, and feeble, respiration in- 

 creased, mucous membrane injected, swollen, and of a yellowish tinge. 

 Appetite is lost and death folloAvs in the case of septicemia in fi'om 

 two to four days. In pyemia the symptoms come on more slowly and 

 are not so intense as in septicemia, while the course of the disease is 

 longer, lasting from six days to four weeks. The mortality ig not 

 so great as in septicemia, but the period of convalescence is always 

 long. 



Lesions. — Septicemia is characterized by the destructive changes in 

 the blood, which is chocolate color, noncoagulable, and swarms with 

 bacteria. The lining mejubranes of the heart are studded with red 

 spots, often running together to form a large hemorrhagic area. The 

 lungs, liver, and kidneys may also show these hemorrhages. The 

 spleen is enlarged and full of black blood. The cadaver decomposes 

 very rapidly and in some cases forms great quantities of fetid gas. 

 In pyemia, in addition to these lesions, there are abscesses formed in 

 the various organs throughout the body. If the disease develops 

 slowly a post-mortem shows these abscesses to be the chief altera- 

 tions. The pus content is usually greenish, stained with blood, and 

 contains strings of fibrous tissue and necrosed matter. 



Treatment. — Treatment is almost futile in advanced cases of either 

 disease. Septicemia is usually fatal and pyemia frequently so. Pre- 

 vention and the immediate treatment of local infections are the 

 surest means of combating these diseases. For local treatment of 

 wounds the usual antiseptics are indicated, such as 5 per cent creolin, 

 or carbolic acid, or one one-thousandth bichlorid of mercury solu- 

 tion. For pyemia, where the abscesses are near the skin, open them 

 and treat antiseptically by injecting any of the previously mentioned 

 germicides. General and heart stimulants are indicated, such as a 

 drench containing digitalis 2 drams and alcohol 2 ounces. Quinine 

 and calomel in repeated small doses of one-half dram each three times 

 a day are sometimes beneficial. Camphor in the form of oil of cam- 

 phor (camphor dissolved in 10 parts of sweet oil) is a good stimulant 



