BACTEREMIC SHOCK--A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Bacteremic shock is second in frequency only to myocardial infarction as a cause of hypotension and death in hospitalized medical patients. The clinical course is marked by fever, usually with chills, and hypotension with a full pulse and warm extremities, followed by shock, often resistant to treatment. Anticipation of this complication in patients with certain predisposing diseases or factors facilitates early recognition of the symptoms and signs of bacteremic shock and prompt treatment. Early and effective treatment of the offending infection often prevents progression of hypotension to the stage of frank vascular collapse.