24 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 



can be seen, and we have no evidence of its being 

 the only gland affected by degenerative change. 

 However, they are for the most part aged subjects, 

 and so are of less importance. 



You now pass your left hand over the course of 

 the jugular vein, and raise it as though you were 

 going to bleed. Distend it to its utmost by keeping 

 pressure upon it for some time. By so doing you 

 see its capacity, also any evidences (cicatrices) of 

 phlebotomy. Besides cicatrices, we have often another 

 evidence of phlebotomy in a sacculated condition of 

 the vein. If there is only one sac or two, their 

 apices should be closely observed for cicatrices. We 

 often find this latter condition without there having 

 been phlebotomy, from unequal power of resistance 

 in the coat of the vein. Prior phlebotomy is of 

 importance locally, as pointing to possible injury to 

 the vein itself; and remotely, as pointing to the 

 cause requiring this operation — such as inflammation 

 of important organs like the lungs, bowels, and feet. 

 With regard, first, to injured vein. The injury may 

 be obliteration, partial or complete. When complete, 

 the vein has a hard, corded feel, and pressure upon 

 it fails to raise (distend) it. I have used the words 

 *' complete obliteration," for practically it is so; but 

 in nearly all cases, even the very worst, there yet 

 remains a small irregular channel through which a 

 thin stream of blood meanders. This condition is 

 one of the worst of unsoundnesses, as the subject 



