Specific Contagious Diseases. 127 



rliceaor bleeding from the nose, and soon there are indica- 

 tions of the formation of the secondary abscesses in the 

 lymphatic glands, joints, bones, or internal organs. Pyaemia 

 does not at once follow a surface wound, but usually appears 

 a week or two latei-, after suppuration has been freely estab- 

 lished. 



Treatment, Prevention. The treatment of pysemia is so 

 generally unsatisfactory that attention should rather be 

 given to prevention. At the same time antiseptics (sulphate 

 or muriate of quinia, salicylate of soda, hyposulphite of soda, 

 benzoate of soda, etc.) may be given, together with elimi- 

 nating diuretics, and stimulants. Secondary abscesses should 

 be opened, and dressed with antiseptics. Its jn-eveniion is 

 to be sought mainly in avoidance of injuries, and in the 

 maintenance of a pure antiseptic atmosphere, for surgical 

 patients especially. Filthy stables, with close, polluted cavi- 

 ties under the floor, rotten woodwork and soft brick charged 

 with all manner of septic products, is but an invitation to 

 this class of diseases (pyaemia, septicaemia, erysipelas, sep- 

 tic puerperal fever, etc.), while perfect cleanliness, pure air, 

 and antiseptic dressings for wounds are the best antidotes. 

 A dressing of carbolic acid (1 part to 50 parts of water or 1 

 to 15 of vaseline), or of bichloride of mercury (1 part to 

 5,000 water), covered by a thick layer of absorbent cotton 

 also charged with the same dressing, and dried, may fail to 

 exclude germs from the wound, but will rarely fail to retard 

 their growth and keep them from attaining a dangerous 

 development. 



SEPTIOiEMIA. SEPTIC INFECTION (bLOOD-POISONINg). 



This is the exact counterpart of pyaemia, the tissue or the 

 system at large being poisoned by the entrance of septic 

 bacteria or their poisonous products. Like pyaemia, al?o, it 

 is not dependent on one invariable micro-organism, but in 

 different cases depends on distinct germs, giving rise to more 



