Chapter V. 



MISCELLANEOUS INFECTIOUS 

 DISEASES 



Schmorl's Disease (Necrobacillosis) 



This is a contagious disease characterized by 

 necrosis of the skin of the head, Hps and nose, 

 or by the formation of small abscesses which 

 appear on the thighs, abdomen and flanks. 



Etiology. — The bacillus of necrosis — B. ne- 

 crophorus. 



Mode of Infection. — The bacillus gains en- 

 trance to the tissues via small wounds in the 

 region of the head, produced by thorns, prickly 

 food, or by ingestion of infected material. The 

 wounds in the intestinal mucous membrane pro- 

 duced by internal parasites may also afford 

 channels of infection. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms vary according 

 to the mode and intensity of the infection and 

 also whether generalization or not takes place. 

 The primary symptoms commence with swell- 

 ing of the nostrils and hps, eyelids and ulti- 

 mately the whole face. The skin is at first hot 

 and painful, of a purplish color and covered 

 with pustules ; later on it becomes cold and in- 

 sensible and brownish black. The necrotic area 

 sloughs off, taking with it the lips, nose and 

 part of the face. The resulting wound is dry, 

 and shows marked induration aroimd its mar- 

 gins. Very often the necrosis extends from the 



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