HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA 



183 



and neck muscles become more intense ; then gradually a period 

 of intense restlessness and activity, and death. 



Examination post mortem. 

 — The blood is apparently 

 normal. 



Subcutaneous hemorrhages 

 are common and vary greatly 

 in size and intensity. In 

 some cases they are large and 

 the hemorrhagic condition is 

 marked; in others they are 

 minute, scattered, and few in 

 number. They may appear 

 almost anywhere in the sub- 

 cutaneous tissues, or involve 

 any of the internal organs; 

 and they usually have 

 sharply defined borders and 

 are easily recognized as hem- 

 orrhages. 



The spleen is not enlarged, 

 but there may be hemor- 

 rhages on its surface. 



The serous and mucous membranes frequently show small 

 hemorrhagic areas, and the heart, especially its auricles, is 

 often intensely hemorrhagic. 



Fig. 62. — Hemorrhagic Septicaemia. 

 (M. H. 22.) 



Hemorrhages on endocardium (in- 

 ternal lining of the heart). 



Differential Diagnosis 



It is very important to distinguish between blackleg and 

 hemorrhagic septicemia, because we have no demonstrated vac- 

 cine or serum either preventive or curative and no medical 

 treatment for hemorrhagic septicemia, whereas blackleg can be 

 easily and cheaply prevented by vaccination. 



In both diseases, death is liable to occur suddenly, but black- 

 leg commonly affects only cattle under two years of age, and 

 rarely young calves; whereas hemorrhagic septicemia affects all 

 ages indiscriminately. High temperatures are characteristic of 

 blackleg, but not of hemorrhagic septicemia. Pronounced swell- 

 ing of the front or hind quarter is characteristic of blackleg, 

 although in some cases which die very suddenly there may be no 



