14 Veterinary Medicine. 



In fatal cases the mucosae of the small intestine and lungs are 

 usually the seats of oedema in which the bacillus is found. The 

 bacilli may also be found in the liver. It is noticeable that gross 

 lesions of the spleen and kidneys are usually absent, in marked 

 contrast with anthrax. The microbes found in the tissues may be 

 in the form of bacilli, micrococci (spores, or m. prodigiosus), and 

 sometimes filaments. 



Inoculation with a minimum dose usually results in local ab- 

 scess only. 



Diagnosis. From emphysematous anthrax, with which malig- 

 nant oedema is most likely to be confounded, it is to be distin- 

 guished by its appearance anywhere outside the black quarter 

 areas, by the immunity of cattle which are so obnoxious to em- 

 physematous anthrax, by the susceptibility of man, who does not 

 contract black quarter, by the formation of the spore near the 

 middle of the bacillus in place of at one end, by its resistance to 

 the action of ordinary disinfectants, and by the greater tendency 

 to form filaments. 



From anthrax it is differentiated by its appearance outside 

 the anthrax localities, by the absence of the bacillus from the 

 blood and from the surface layers of the skin, by the normal size 

 of the spleen, and by the active motility of the bacillus. It can- 

 not be cultivated like anthrax in the free air or on the surface of 

 culture media, and unlike anthrax bacillus, its cultures produce 

 bubbles or gas. 



Treatment. This is essentially surgical and consists in free in- 

 cisions to admit air freely to all parts of the oedematous tissue, 

 perfect drainage and a liberal use of peroxide of hydrogen. Other 

 disinfectants may be employed but are much less promising. The 

 free disinfection of the adjacent skin is an important element in 

 treatment. 



Prevention. This con.sists essentially in the thorough disinfec- 

 tion of all accidental and surgical wounds, the careful cleansing 

 and antisepsis of the skin before an operation, the exclusion of 

 earth, manure, or water from driven wells or fountains, from all 

 wounds, and above all the exclusion of proteus vulgaris, and 

 micrococcus prodigiosus. 



Immunity may be secured by a first, non-fatal attack of the 

 disease. 



