SEPTICEMIA 155 



minutes. In less virulent infections the condition termi- 

 nates in decubitus and death after a few days, violent 

 delirium preceding the end in some cases, and pronounced 

 coma in others. 



Cases that are promptly and judiciously treated recover 

 after variable periods of time, depending upon the sever- 

 ity of the infection, the treatment applied, and the recu- 

 perative powers of the animal. In exceptional instances 

 the infection is so virulent, and so rapidly and so grossly 

 dissemiaated throughout the body, that the animal suc- 

 cumbs before great swelling or other changes occur in 

 the wound or its vicinity. These cases are rare. 



Differentiation. Pyemia: Pyemia is less tumultuous 

 in its approach. It appears rather as a secondary develop- 

 ment, often after the original seat of infection is under 

 control. It is characterized by metastatic foci of pus. 

 These vary from small abscesses to large pockets of puru- 

 lent material. 



Malignant edema : The diagnostic feature of this con- 

 dition is the characteristic odor, the gangrenous trend, 

 and more especially the presence of gas in the tumefac- 

 tion, evidenced by crepitation. 



Lymphangitis: The swelling in lymphangitis is more 

 circumscribed, has a line of demarcation, and is of a 

 doughy consistency. 



Treatment. The successful handling of a well devel- 

 oped case of blood poisoning requires, in my opinion, the 

 best professional judgment. The favorable progress of 

 a given case is frequently interfered with by the most 

 trivial circumstance in the method of treatment. It is 

 my belief that many cases of septicemia terminate in 

 death chiefly as the result of over-dosing with medicinal 

 agencies. The practitioner too frequently allows his 

 diagnosis of septicemia, "blood-poisoning," to take pos- 

 session of his mental faculties to the extent of a veritable 



