Volume 1

Friedberger and Fröhner's Veterinary pathology : Authorised translation / Tr. and edited by M.H. Hayes with notes on bacteriology by G. Newman.

  • Friedberger, Franz, 1839-1902.
Date:
1898-
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Friedberger and Fröhner's Veterinary pathology : Authorised translation / Tr. and edited by M.H. Hayes with notes on bacteriology by G. Newman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    wounds. The membrane consists of an infiltration of the sub- mucosa with round cells and fibrine. The bacilli of Klebs-Loffler are held to be responsible for the production of the pseudo¬ membrane on the surface of the mucous membrane, and the bacilli are found, with many others (streptococci, etc.), in the superficial and deep layers of the membrane. They (the bacilli) exude a poison which is of the nature of a proteolytic ferment. This ferment is absorbed, and by digesting the proteids of the body, chiefly those of the spleen, produces albumoses and an organic acid, which are the toxins or specific agents in producing the signs and symptoms which clinically make up Diphtheria (.Martin). The albumoses are always associated with an organic acid, and are much greater in amount than the acid. Both acid and albumoses are what are called Nerve Poisons, and bring about the degeneration of nerves, etc., which characterise Diphtheria. The albumoses, how¬ ever, when injected into rabbits, produced a high temperature and diarrhoea as well as paralysis, which affects first the posterior limbs, afterwards the respiratory muscles, and finally the heart. The changes in the nerves, according to Martin, are well-marked. The axis cylinders break up into segments, and the medullary sheaths become ultimately affected. Fatty degeneration takes place in the muscle fibres. The organic acid has practically the same action as the albumoses, but in a less degree. Now we may graphically represent this in a sort of scheme :— i Klebs-Loffler Bacillus = Primary Infective Agent. False Membrane of Fibrin in the substance of which is formed a Ferment = Secondary Infective Agent. [An Enzyme with proteolytic action, produced locally, but disseminated generally from its local factory throughout the body.] By Digestion of Proteids produces |ALBUM0SES l — Toxins. J & 1 (AN ORGANIC ACID) I Which by their presence and action throughout the body produce Fever. Diarrhoea. Emaciation and loss of body weight. Degeneration of sensory and motor fibres of Nerves. ll. The signs and symp- I 2. toms of Diphtheria, j 3. 14. A table like the above necessarily has some drawbacks from