HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA 297 



Natural Infection.^ (a) Via digestive tract, the germs being 

 taken in with the food and water. 



(b) Via wounds through the skin and mucous membranes. 



(c) Via respiratory organs (proved in rabbits). The hides 

 and flesh of infected animals spread the disease. The blood 

 in the later stages is infectious and probably the feces and 

 urine. 



Necropsy. — Varies somewhat with the type, but the fol- 

 lowing lesions are fairly constant: A marked congestion of 

 the parenchymatous organs. Subcutaneous, submucous, and 

 subserous hemorrhages generally distributed along the bowels 

 (serous surface), over the spleen capsule, kidneys, bladder, 

 diaphragm, peri- and epicardium, synovial membranes, and 

 meninges. The heart, liver, and kidneys show cloudy swell- 

 ing. The spleen is not enlarged. The urine is sometimes 

 blood-tinged. In the skin (exanthematous) form the subcutis 

 of the region of the throat and neck shows gelatinous infiltra- 

 tion spotted with blood patches. The mucous membranes of 

 the digestive tract are swollen and show petechiae. The 

 tongue is swollen, and submucous infiltrations are noted in 

 the pharynx and larynx. The bowel contents are usually 

 semiliquid and frequently chocolate colored. Blood appar- 

 ently normal. In the pectoral form serofibrinous pleuritis 

 with bronchopneumonia is found. The interlobular septa are 

 markedly infiltrated, forming broad, yellow strands. Blood 

 extravasations occur under the pleura. 



Symptoms. — The period of incubation is short, usually one 

 or two days. The symptoms are not particularly character- 

 istic and quite varied, depending upon whether or not the 

 intestinal, exanthematous, or pectoral is present. 



Intestinal Form. — The animal appears dull and shows a 

 staggering gait and loss of sensitiveness in the skin; in some 

 cases the neck is bent to one side (torticollis), the muscles of 

 the neck and jaw twitching; nystagmus is also seen. Occa- 

 sionally forced movements are noted, the patient rapidly 

 wheeling in a circle, using the hind feet as a pivot (clock-hand 

 movements). During these paroxysms, which occur inter- 

 mittently, the patient may utter lowing cries. Diarrhea may 

 or may not be present. There is drooling from the mouth and 



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