The mortality from plague may be about 90 per cent. or more when the
epidemic is at its height. In the beginning, or towards the end of the
epidemic, the mortality is less, as it is the case with all other
epidemic diseases. The average mortality at Bombay has been 84 per cent.
and in Karachi 89 per cent. It is, therefore, more fatal than all other
epidemic diseases, the mortality from cholera during the height of an
epidemic being about 60 per cent.
In children and in the aged the disease is more fatal than in healthy
adults. Cases in which the bubo appears early and is single, or in which
there is a distinct morning remission, or less general prostration or
free perspiration, or in which there is no diarrhœa, have greater chance
of recovery. Rapid suppuration of the buboes indicates a favourable
termination. Buboes do not suppurate as a rule until the primary fever
has fallen. On the other hand, carbuncles, multiple buboes (specially on
the neck), meningitis, hæmorrhages, pleurisy, pneumonia, diarrhœa,
gastric irritation, cyanosis, jaundice and continued pyrexia are
unfavourable signs.
_MICROSCOPIC AND MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCES._
Bacilli are found in all the internal organs, notably in the spleen, in
blood and in the enlarged glands.
Body does not show much emaciation; decomposition commences early. Black
hæmorrhagic patches are often found on the skin. The brain and membranes
are congested. Sanguinous or serous effusions are found in serous
cavities. Right side of the heart is dilated and is usually found full
of coagulated or liquid blood. Cardiac muscles pale. The liver is
enlarged and congested. The spleen is much enlarged, soft and congested.
Hæmorrhagic patches have been found in the stomach. The mesenteric
glands are enlarged. Kidneys congested. Bladder is sometimes found
filled with bloody urine. The buboes are sometimes found to be soft and
caseous. The tissues surrounding them are infiltrated with a reddish
gelatinous exudation. The whole lymphatic chain from groin to the glands
of the sacral or lumbar plexus, or from the axilla and neck to the
glands of the mediastinum are affected. The internal glands are found
more or less enlarged, injected and infiltrated with sanguineous fluid.
The lymphatic follicles and Peyer’s patches in the intestines are found
swollen. Hæmorrhages are found in the mesentery.
_PREVENTION._—
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