Acute lymphangitis

Abstract

1. 1. The term acute lymphangio-adenitis is suggested to designate the conditions. 2. 2. Serious infections follow trivial skin wounds in those whose occupations predispose to skin soiling with infected material, i.e., doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, undertakers, or in the diabetic. 3. 3. The red skin lines running from a skin wound to the nearest tender lymph node is the primary symptom. 4. 4. The serious case shows, within two to six hours, rapid spread of local signs and a chill within the first thirty-six hours. 5. 5. To date no serum therapy has been brought forward of avail in the fulminating case, nor does the blood picture or the germ type aid us in prognosis. 6. 6. The lymphnodes involved are fairly consistent in infections of the different body areas. 7. 7. A differential diagnosis between acute lymphangio-adenitis and acute thrombophlebitis is outlined. 8. 8. Sequels to be expected in infections of different body areas are presented. 9. 9. Primary local treatment is directed toward assisting those natural processes which the body calls forth to combat infection, i.e., rest; large, wet hot compresses; no local meddlesome surgery. 10. 10. Plan of treatment of the sequels, i.e., palmar abscess, localized glandular abscess, diffuse purulent cellulitis, septicemia, is presented. Blood transfusion is the most reliable agent for septicemia, assisted by saline hypodermoclysis and intravenous glucose.