Abstract
Fifty rabbits received repeated intravenous injections of streptococci with the object in view of ascertaining what subacute and chronic lesions might be produced in this way, the idea being to simulate as much as possible chronic streptococcic septicæmia.
The streptococci were obtained from about two dozen different sources in the course of routine bacteriological examinations at autopsies, and surgical material. The doses injected were moderate. The injections were repeated as frequently as the animals seemed to be able to tolerate them. The animals lived from a few days to 261 days. The results were as follows:
Fourteen animals developed subacute septic endocarditis. The lesions were most commonly found on the left side of the heart, but the tricuspid valve was involved three times and there was severe infection of the pulmonary valve in one. All of the streptococci which produced endocarditis were of the non-hemolytic type. There was only one case in which arthritis and endocarditis occurred in the same animal.
Lesions of the myo-cardium were observed fourteen times. In four cases there were abscesses, in two purulent myocarditis, in two necroses, and in six chronic myocarditis.
There were thirty-one joints affected in ten rabbits. These joint lesions were often very severe and extensive, causing considerable destruction in the cartilage and synovial membrane and in a considerable number of cases involved the neighboring tendon sheaths to such an extent that some of the tendons were entirely necrotic. These joint lesions were produced by both hemolytic and non-hemolytic streptococci.
The musculature was remarkably free from all chronic changes, which is all the more surprising in view of the frequency with which acute changes have been described after intravenous injection of massive doses of streptococci.
In seven of the animals there were thromboses in the blood vessels of the lung, of which six were distinctly septic.
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