490 



Peritonitis may arise secondary to the enteric CEclema, or by perfora- 

 tion of the stomach or intestines by a gangrenons spot. 



Scpticcvmia terminates fatally with its usual train of symptoms. 

 The essential alterations of anasarca are exceedingly simple; the 

 capillaries are dilated, the lymphatic spaces between the fibers of the 

 connective tissue are filled with serum, and the coagulable portion of 

 the blood presents a yellowish or citrine mass, jelly-like in cousisteucj-, 

 which has stretched out the tissue like the meshes of a sponge. Where' 

 the cfl'usiou has occurred between the muscles, as in the bead, these are 

 found dissected and separated from each other like those of a hog's head 

 by the masses of fat. The surface of the skin is desquamated and fre- 

 quently denuded of the hair. Frequently there are traces of suppuration 

 and of ulceration. The mucous membrane of the nose is found studded 

 with small, hemorrhagic spots, sometimes red, more frequently brown or 

 black, often coalesced with each other in irregular sized patches and sur- 

 rounded by a reddish zone, the product of irritation. If oedema of the in- 

 testines has occurred the membrane is found four or five times its normal 

 thickness, reddish in color with hemorrhages on the free surface, ffidema 

 of the lungs leaves these organs distended. On section a yellowish fluid 

 runs out, like the fluid does from lungs which have been filled with water 

 in the dissecting room. The secondary alterations vary according to the 

 complications. There are frequently the lesions of asphyxia; externally 

 we find ulcers, abscesses, and gangrenous spots and the deep ulcers 

 resulting from the latter. The lymphatic cords and glands are found, 

 with all the lesions of lymphangitis. Again are found the traces of ex- 

 cessive emaciation, or the lesions of septicaemia. Except from the com- 

 plications the blood is not altered in anasarca. If previous to the 

 attack the animal had oenemia the tissues will be infiltrated and the 

 pallor and other appearances of cenemia will be found. If prior to the 

 attack the animal is in moderate health, with unaltered blood, the blood 

 will be found to clot with the typical change of the buffy coat of the 

 horse. In death by asphyxia the blood will be found fluid, black in 

 color, but gradually turns red, and clots on exposure to the air. Dick- 

 erhoff mentions fibrinous pneumonia among the alterations. I myself 

 Lave never seen it occur. 



The diagnosis of anasarca must principally be made from farcy or 

 glanders. In anasarca the swelling is nonsensitive, while sensitive in 

 the acute swelling of farcy. The nodes of farcy are distinct and hard 

 and never circumscribed, as in the other disease. The erui)tion of 

 glanders on the mucuous membranes is nodular, hard, and pellet-like. 

 The redness disappears on pressure. In case of excessive swelling of 

 the head, in anasarca, there may occur an extensive sero-fibriuous exu- 

 dation from the mucous membranes of the nose, poured out as a semi- 

 fluid mass or as a cast of the nasal fossre, never having the appearance 

 or typical oily character, which it has in glanders. The inflammation 

 of the lymphatic cords and glands in anasarca does not produco the 

 hard, indurated character which is found in farcy. 



