744 microbiology of diseases of man and domestic animals 

 Streptococcic Infections* 



General Septicmmia, Puerperal Septicmmia, Erysipelas, Etc. 

 Streptococcus pyogenes 



Streptococcic infections are endemic, among all races and under all 

 social conditions. In the days before antisepsis and our knowledge of 

 the transmission of infectious diseases, erysipelas and puerperal sep- 

 ticaemia occurred in epidemics that were the scourges of surgical and 

 lying-in hospitals. 



When the work of Pasteur and Lister became fully comprehended 

 such epidemics ceased to exist. 



Natural streptococcic infections have been described in horses and 

 cattle and among the laboratory animals, but as a rule such disease is 

 much rarer in animals than in the human being. 



The period of incubation is probably about one to three days. 



The symptoms of septicaemia begin^with a rapid rise of temperature 

 which may reach io5°F. or even higher. Chills accompany the fever 

 and are often severe. The pulse is rapid, irregular and weak and the 

 respiration labored. There m.ay be vomiting and constipation or 

 diarrhoea. Headache is more or less severe with sometimes delirium. 

 In cases lasting for several days the skin appears shghtly jaundiced. 

 The urine is of the usual febrile type and, as a rule, shows the micro- 

 organism causihg the disease. Death may occur in two or three days 

 or within a week or in milder cases may be followed by recovery. , 



After death from septicaemia the body tends to putrefy rapidly. 

 The glandular organs all tend to be swollen and soft, especially the 

 spleen, and parenchyniatous degenerations are found to a greater or 

 less extent. The Hning membrane of the heart and vessels is blood 

 stained, a rather characteristic feature of streptococcic septicasmia. 

 Bronchitis and broncho-pneumonia are usually foundi 



Erysipelas is an inflammation of the skin, occasionally of mucous 

 membranes, and the name is applied now only -when the condition is 

 brought about by streptococci. The inflamed area is very definitely 

 outlined and may present blebs of a greater or less size. Oedema may 

 be very marked where the skin coversloose tissue. Fever is present 

 with its usual accompaniments. There may be vomiting, constipation 

 or diarrhoea. There may be severe headaches or delirium. In fatal 



* Prepared by Edward Fidlar. 



