A febrile disease arising from an invasion of the blood by pathogenic
bacteria, wherein sepsis and multiple abscesses occur from absorption
and metastasis.
=Etiologically=, the cause may be traced to various specific organisms
which enter the blood stream and produce thrombophlebitis. From these
points and from other bacteria, new foci are established. Occasionally
the lymphatics carry the germs. The disease may also start from
ulcerative endocarditis or when the appendix is infected.
=Pathologically=, thrombosis of the vein may take place in any region.
Abscesses may form in the lungs, liver, spleen or other internal
organs. The small abscesses may unite and form a large one. The skin
presents eruptions and hemorrhagic extravasations, while there may
be ulcers of the mucous membrane, also the serous surfaces may be
purulently inflamed. The muscles, subcutaneous and osseous tissue
occasionally have abscesses. Ulcerative and suppurative heart lesions
occur.
=Symptoms.=—The incubation period is short. There may be slight fever,
but commonly a chill is the first symptom, which may reoccur for some
time. The fever is either remittent or intermittent and when the
temperature is low, sweating is a feature. The pulse becomes rapid and
weak, when the disease is severe; breathing becomes difficult. Skin
symptoms, such as eruptions and pustules, generally occur. In a word,
there is a general intoxication. There is a lessened number of red
blood corpuscles and leucocytosis is a characteristic. In grave cases,
delirium and coma are present.
=Diagnosis.=—The history of the case and symptoms will usually
render diagnosis easy, although care is necessary to determine from
septicemia. Malaria, typhoid and acute tuberculosis must be excluded.
=Prognosis.=—Much depends on asepsis and surgery but on the whole it is
unfavorable.
=Treatment.=—Surgical interference and treatment as outlined under
septicemia is the only hope.