Septicemia refers to the condition caused by the presence in the blood of bacteria (microbes) as well as toxin.

Pyemia refers to the same condition as septicemia with the development of fresh places of suppuration.

Sapremia is a septic intoxication, the result of the absorption of toxins.

[Infectious diseases 223]

Septicemia.—­The presence of bacteria in the blood, introduced from a local lesion (wound, injury, etc.) or with no obvious local infection.

Symptom.—­If there is a local infection, symptoms of this precede the septicemia.  The invasion may be sudden or gradual, with chill or chilly feelings, followed by symptoms of active fever and later of an asthenic (absence of strength and feeling) fever, with dry tongue and dullness or delirium.  Death may occur in one to seven days.

Pyemia.—­This means the presence in the blood of bacteria with resultant foci (places) of suppuration.

Symptoms.—­They are local at first where the lesion is.  The invasion of the general infection is marked by a severe chill, then high fever and sweating, repeated daily or at irregular intervals.

Fever is variable with sudden falls.  In some cases the fever assumes very weakening type and the patient looks like a case of typhoid fever in the third week, and death soon occurs.

In other cases the chills, fever and sweating are repeated at irregular intervals.  The patients are emaciated and the skin has a sallow color.  Death usually occurs eventually from exhaustion in a few days or months.

Local Treatment.—­This should be attended to from the beginning.  If you injure your finger or any part and it soon looks red, and feels sore, open it up thoroughly with a clean instrument and cover it with a clean gauze or cotton.  It must not be covered too tightly so that the discharge, if any, can leave the wound.  Enough dressing must be put on to absorb that.  Then keep the wound clean, and so it can “run” if necessary.  If you neglect this or do it carelessly and admit dirt you will make it worse.

See treatment of wounds, etc.

General Treatment.—­Keep the strength up in every way.  The strength should be kept up by giving nourishing diet that will suit that special case and medicine that will produce a tonic effect, such as quinine and strychnine.

Asiatic cholera.—­This is an acute infectious disease caused by a specific organism and characterized by profuse watery discharges from the bowels and great prostration.

Causes.—­Some inherit a weakness, making them more susceptible than others to this disease.  Other causes are intemperance, general debility, unhygienic surroundings, exciting causes.  The spirillum (cholera asiaticus) found in the stools, watery discharges and intestines of affected cases and its transmission by infected food and water.