SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT. 261 



will ensure to the progeny a fair prospect, under favourable 

 conditions, of ability to execute tbo ordinary functional activi- 

 ties necessary to ensure development of body and fitness for 

 tlie purposes for wliicli they are bred. 



CHAPTER XV. 



LYMPHANGITIS — INFLAMMATORY (EDEMA — WEED. 



Definition. — A constitutional disturbance of variable extent in 

 the process of assimilation, intimately associated with inflam- 

 Diatory action and oedema of one of the extremities ; this in- 

 flammatory action first shoiuing itself in connection ivith the 

 lymphatic glands of the limb, and during the continuance of 

 the disease most distinctly manifest in these glands and in the 

 course of the absorbents and bloodvessels. 



Pathology, a. Character and Distribution. — Although its 

 most diagnostic features are local, so much so that everywhere 

 these have determined its ordinary name, modified, of course, 

 by the amount of intelligence possessed by those who have 

 observed it, there yet appear sufificient reasons from its 

 history, distribution, and modes of manifestation to warrant us 

 in attributing it primarily to general disturbance of function, 

 particularly in connection with the process of digestion and 

 assimilation. 



Although this disease is widely distributed, not only in our 

 own country but wherever horses are utilized, it is yet par- 

 ticular as to the subjects of its attack. Amongst well-bred 

 horses, or those of the lighter draught variety, it is not 

 common ; the more highly susceptible are to be found amongst 

 the heavier draught animals of dull, sluggish, or lymphatic 

 temperaments, having an abundant growth of hair on their 

 legs, and a large development of cellular tissue, while it is to 

 be noted that even horses of this type possess a greater pre- 

 disposition to suffer when reared on certain varieties of soil 

 and under certain conditions. In particular districts, at 

 certain seasons and amongst certain classes of agricultural 

 horses, this affection is extremely common, being only ex- 

 ceeded in frequency of manifestation by disorders of the 



