DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 271 



chest or abdomen; occasionally tlie brain becomes affected. A few 

 cases run a mild course and recovery may connneiu-e in three or 

 four days; generally, however, the outkwk is unfavorable. In severe 

 cases septic poisoning is liable to occur, which soon brings the case 

 to a fatal issue. 



Pathology. — On section we find the cai)illaries dilated, the connec- 

 tive tissue filled with a coagulable or coagulate<l lyni})h, and fre- 

 quently we may discover gangrenous spots beneath the skin or involv- 

 ing the skin. The lymphatic glands are swollen and inflamed. Ex- 

 tensive extravasations of blood may bo found embedded between the 

 coats of the intestines, or excessive effusion into the substance of 

 the lungs. 



Treatment. — Diffusible stimulants and tonics should be given from 

 the start. Carbonate of anunonia, 1 dram, fluid extract of rod cin- 

 chona bark, 2 drams, and tincture of ginger half an ounce, with hall 

 a pint of water; thin gruel or milk should be given every four or six 

 hours. But especial care should be exercised to avoid injury by 

 drenching. If the horse has difficulty in getting the head up and 

 swallowing, smaller doses must be given with a small hard-rubber 

 syringe. Sulphate of iron in 1-dram doses may be dissolved in water 

 and given every six hours. Chlorate of potassium, in 2-ounce doses, 

 may be given every eight or twelve hours. Colloidal silver may bo 

 administered intravenously in doses of from T) to 12 grains. Wash- 

 ings with lead and alum water are useful and may be repeated several 

 times each day. If the swellings are very great, they may be incised 

 freely and the resulting wounds should be washed at least twice daily 

 with a warm 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid or other good anti- 

 septic. Tracheotomy may be necessary. Complications, when they 

 arise, must be treated with ]:»roper circumspection. 



DISEASES OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



The lymphatic, or absorbent, system is connected with the blood- 

 vascular system, and consi.sts of a .series of tubes wliich absorb and 

 convey to the blood certain fluids. These tubes lead to lymphatic 

 glands, through which the fluids pass to reach the right lyuijihatic 

 vein and thoracic duct, ])oth of which enter the venous system near 

 the heart. Through the excessively thin walls of the capillaries the 

 fluid part of the blood transudes to nourish the tis.sues outside the 

 cajiillaries; at the same time fluid pas.ses fi-om the ti.ssues into the 

 blood. The fluid, after it passes into the tissues, constitutes the 

 lymph, and acts like a stream irrigating the tissue elements. Much of 

 the surplus of this lyuij>h j)as.ses into the lymph vesstds, which in their 

 commencement can hardly l)e treated as independent structures, since 

 their walls are so closely joined with the tissues through which they 



