106 DISEASES OF CATS 



acteristics of tRe diphtheria of human Ibeings, 

 with the exception that the bacillus of Loifler 

 has not been isolated from the lesions. ' Never- 

 theless it is probably very closely allied to hu- 

 man diphtheria, as the disease responds favor- 

 ably to the antitoxin for diphtheria of the hu- 

 man. Some authorities, both medical and vet- 

 erinary, claim and counterclaim that it is one 

 and the same disease and vice versa. The con- 

 fusion arises, in the author's opinion, from the 

 fact that the cat, not only can, but does suffer 

 from human diphtheria, the Loffler bacillus 

 being easily demonstrated in such cases, and it 

 is also an accepted fact that the cat may be a 

 carrier of human diphtheria. Whether or not 

 cat and human diphtheria are identical is of 

 little importance to the„ chnician, but of the 

 gravest irnport tothe public health officer. Act- 

 ing on the supposition that the disease may be 

 human diphtheria or that cat diphtheria and 

 human diphtheria may be the same, the infected 

 cat should be given no opportunity of spread- 

 ing infection. 



Symptoms. — The disease is ushered in by 

 general malaise, rigors and suspension of appe- 

 tite. The temperature is raised, and lassitude 

 is well marked. Saliva dribbles from the 

 mouth, which is often held partially open; 

 breathing is partly oral, somewhat labored and 

 accomplished with a wheezing, bubbling sound. 



