LYMPHANGITIS OR WEED. 57 



part. In chronic cases the lymph glands are sometimes 

 filled with calcareous material, grating when cut into. 



The swelling of the limb is sudden, and usually reaches 

 its hight in from 24 to 48 hours, remaining stationary 

 equally long before declining. Any limb is susceptible to 

 the disease, but it is a curious as well as interesting fact 

 that the one usually affected is the left hind leg. 



Symptoms. — Leg swollen, tolerably firm, hot, painful 

 and sometimes moist, the swelling being from above down- 

 ward ; when severe, drops of a yellowish fluid bedew the 

 skin ; fever active, and sometimes ushered in by shivering 

 fits ; pulse 75 to 95, the artery being tense and cord-like ; 

 in severe cases the breathing is hurried, short, catching ; 

 internal temperature increased from two to five degrees ; 

 mouth clammy ; bowels inclined to be confined ; urine — 

 not at first increased in quantity — is of a higher specific 

 gravity than natural ; appetite more or less impaired, with 

 increased desire for fluids; slight restlessness, sometimes 

 simulating colicky pains ; anxious countenance ; looks 

 back repeatedly. 



Remedy. — Bleed robust subjects and where fever is 

 acute. Purge, laxative injections, and salines in drinking 

 water. Bran mashes. Aconite for acute fever. Hot fomen- 

 tations for several hours ; then swathe legs lightly in woolen 

 or hay bandages. If tender and painful, moisten with 

 soap liniment and laudanum. Clothe well in cold weather. 

 Stimulants where preliminary rigor is severe or continued. 

 Exercise is injurious during acute symptoms, but service- 

 able later. 



In hard-worked and debilitated subjects, bleeding and 

 aconite unsuitable. Give them a half dose of physic and 

 salines; foment leg; turpentine and alcoholic stimulants. 

 Aid reduction of swelling by exercise, followed by mod- 

 erate work. Smart friction of leg daily, with oil. Diu- 

 retics and tonics ; iodine or potassium iodide internally ; 

 laxative diet and green food. 



