876 Leukemia of Mammals. 



teristics of the white hlood corpuscles, the symptoms described 

 do not by themselves justify the diagnosis of a leukemic affec- 

 tion, as the enlargement of the blood-forming organs without 

 a simultaneous increase of the white blood corpuscles may 

 occur in pseudo-leukemia, on the other hand, however, an in- 

 crease of polynuclear leucocytes without an affection of the 

 blood-forming organs occurs also in leucocytosis. It cannot 

 however be denied that the leucocytosis which develops in the 

 course of infectious diseases, in severe simple anemia, in various 

 other internal affections, and during pregnancy, is usually 

 associated with a slight increase of the white blood corpuscles ; 

 but in some of the leucocytoses, as Marek's observations proved, 

 the relation between white and red blood corpuscles may be- 

 come as close (Marek found in one case the relation 1:18) as 

 in the severe forms of leukemia. On the other hand it is to 

 be considered that in the early stages of leukemia the increase 

 of the white blood corpuscles need not necessarily be marked. 

 For the determination of the form of leukemia, staining of the 

 blood corpuscles is necessary. 



Chronic swelling of the lymph glands may also be caused 

 by glanders, tuberculosis, or by malignant new-formations. The 

 symmetrical arrangements of the swellings on both sides of 

 the body and their presence in all places where lymph glands 

 are located, further also the involvement of the other blood- 

 forming organs, usually leaves no doubt as to the nature of 

 the disease. For the positive exclusion of tuberculosis, . how- 

 ever, the examination of the blood corpuscles is indispensable, 

 as tuberculosis may in some cases produce similar changes in 

 the blood-forming and parenchymatous organs, for instance, 

 lymphatic pneumonia (Nocard), or a pronounced symmetric 

 enlargement of all the lymph glands may exceptionally result 

 from tuberculous infection (observed by Anger in a dog, by 

 Marek in a cow). 



Prognosis. Up to tl^e present time neither in man nor in 

 animals has a single recovery been recorded in a correctly 

 diagnosed case of leukemia. Accordingly the prognosis is al- 

 ways unfavorable. 



Treatment. Treatment appears only indicated when for 

 special reasons it is desired to prolong the life of the animals. 

 In such cases the nutrition should consist of foods rich in 

 proteids, the appetite should be stimulated by tonics, exertion 

 should be avoided, and fresh air should be plentifully supplied to 

 the animals. Of medicinal remedies, iron, quinine (may be given 

 combined and always in large, full doses), further arsenic 

 (Fowler's solution, in doses increased every 1 to 2 weeks, is 

 most appropriate), and phosphorus; they must however be 

 administered systematically and for a long time. In special 

 cases transfusion of blood could be attempted, as it is supposed 



