308 ACUTE GENERAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



of success (Jensen). Experiments to produce active immunity 

 of the fetus in utero by inoculating subcutaneously pregnant . 

 cows with sterile extracts of colon bacilli, have been made 

 with as yet conflicting results. 



Pyosepticemia of Sucklings (Pasteurellosis Neonatorum). 

 Pyemic Arthritis. Joint III. Omphalophlebitis. Navel III. 

 — Definition. — This is an acute contagio-infectious disease of 

 animals less than one month old, due to navel infection, and 

 characterized by joint lesions usually of a purulent character. 

 It is accompanied by septicopyemia. Peracute cases take the 

 form of a general septicemia. 



Occurrence. — The disease is wide-spread and occurs in prac- 

 tically all breeding districts. Foals and calves are most com- 

 monly affected. Like the dysentery of sucklings, with which 

 it is closely related, it often appears as an enzootic, attacking 

 large numbers of young animals, and, as it is generally fatal, 

 seriously interferes with breeding operations. 



Etiology. — In calves the Bacterium bovisepticum and the 

 colon bacillus, acting jointly, are accused. In colts various pus 

 cocci (staphylococci and streptococci) have been found in the 

 organs, blood and joints. It is very probable that several 

 pathogenic microorganisms are related etiologically to the 

 disease. 



Natural Infection. — Extra-utemie. — Via navel cord which 

 has not yet become dried and shriveled and still contains the 

 Whartonian gelatin. The danger of infection is probably 

 greatly enhanced by ligation as is usually practised in animals. 

 Naturally, filthy bedding or floors or ground covered with 

 manure, urine or the discharges from the infected navel of a 

 developed case of the disease increase the danger. It happens, 

 therefore, that a sporadic case can spread the infection until 

 every colt or calf born on the premises becomes a victim. 



Intra-uterine Infection. — As some animals are born with the 

 disease (symptoms at birth; pathological lesions present- too 

 old to have developed since birth), an infection in utero from 

 the pregnant dam, in whose blood pathogenic bacteria have 

 appeared, is assumed. 



A further possibility would be the permanent infection of 

 the uterus of the dam and the passage of the bacteria from it 



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