Malignant CEdema. 27 



be followed by a lowering of temperature within a few hours, and 

 a steady improvement in the general symptoms. The antiseptic 

 agents employed must be sufficiently potent, and persistently ap- 

 plied to render the surface sterile and yet not so caustic as to de- 

 stroy more tissue to become a future culture-medium for the sep- 

 tic microbes. Mercuric chloride (i : 2000) aluminum acetate 

 (i : 100) powdered iodoform, or aristol will often serve a good 

 purpose, to be followed, when necessary, by eificient drainage 

 and a covering of antiseptic gauze. When the primary source of 

 infection is in the intestinal canal, calomel, napthalin or B. nap- 

 thol may be tried. 



For the weak heart strychnine is the most safe and reliable 

 agent. Quinia in large doses acto as an antipyretic, without the 

 attendant dangers of the coal tar products. It may be advanta- 

 geously combined with tincture of chloride of iron. 



Ammoniacal and alcoholic stimulants are largely resorted to to 

 tide the patient over the period of depression, and nourishing and 

 easily digested food should be given so far as the stomach can 

 make use of it. Skim milk, eggs, and beef tea may be given 

 even to the herbivorous patient. 



The thirst should be met by plenty of pure water to favor elim- 

 ination of the toxins, and the surface frequently sponged with 

 tepid water, not only on the ground of cleanliness and disinfec- 

 tion, but also as calculated to lower the febrile temperature. 



MAI.IGNANT CEDEMA. 



Definition. Causes. Bacillus septicaemia gangrenosa, anaerobic, rarely 

 in living blood. Source of germ in soils. Pathogenic to man and domes- 

 tic animals except cattle. First attack immunizes. Infects deep wound, 

 exudates, dropsical and gangrenous parts, womb, intestine, debilitated 

 parts, large dose intravenously. Lesions and symptoms ; excess of exudate, 

 boggy swelling, watery discbarge, fcetid gas bubbles, oedema of lungs and 

 bowels. Complex infection. Minimum dose — abscess. Diagnosis : from 

 black quarter and anthrax. Treatment : free incisions, hydrogen peroxide. 

 Prevention : disinfection of skin and wounds. Immunity. 



Definition. An acute bacteridian disease of domestic and wild 

 mammals, and of man, manifested by doughy, painful and often 

 crepitating swelling in the vicinity of the afEected part, and prov- 

 ing fatal in many cases in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 



