322 ACUTE GENERAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



break following the vaccination was not hog-cholera but some 

 other disease. There is a probability that some of these 

 outbreaks may be hemorrhagic septicemia. It is possible 

 that swine, the resistance of which has been lowered by recent 

 vaccination, become more susceptible to the action of the B. 

 suisepticus. From a theoretical standpoint, if we admit the 

 existence of hemorrhagic septicemia in other domesticated 

 animals, its occurrence in the hog can be refuted only on well 

 established' scientific grounds. The results of exhaustive 

 scientific research in this regard are awaited with interest. 

 Only through it will the problem be solved. 



Hemorrhagic Septicemia of Cattle {Cornstalk Disease; 

 Bronchopneumonia; Game and Cattle Plague) . — Definition. — 

 Hemorrhagic septicemia is a fatal, infectious disease of cattle, 

 having an acute or subacute course, which assumes a variety 

 of forms in that it may involve the nervous system, skin, 

 lungs, and bowels. It is probably caused by the Bacteriiun 

 bovisepticum. 



Occurrence. — ^The disease is widely spread, occm-ring in 

 all parts of the world. In the United States it has been 

 reported from all sections, but seemingly is more prevalent in 

 the West and Northwest than elsewhere. Several outbreaks 

 have occTu-red in Ohio. Besides cattle it attacks wild animals, 

 especially deer. 



Etiology.- — The Bacterium bovisepticum, a variety of the 

 cocoa bacillus, is found in soil and water and in the respir- 

 atory organs of apparently healthy cattle. 



Natural Infection. — (a) Via digestive tract, the germs being 

 taken in with the food and water, (b) Via wounds through 

 the skin and mucous membranes, (c) Via respiratory organs 

 (proved in rabbits) . The hides and flesh of infected animals 

 spread the disease. The blood in the later stages is infec- 

 tious and probably the feces and urine. 



Necropsy. — ^Varies somewhat with the type, but the fol- 

 lowing lesions are fairly constant: A marked congestion of 

 the parenchymatous organs. Subcutaneous, submucous, and 

 subserous hemorrhages generally distributed along the bowels 

 (serous surface), over the spleen capsule, kidneys, bladder, 

 diaphragm, peri- and epicardium, synovial membranes and 



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