374 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



RUPTURE OF AN ARTERY. 



Endarteritis, with its subsequent changes in the walls of ar- 

 teries, is the primary cause of rupture in the majority of instances. 

 The rupture may be partial, involving only one or two coats, and 

 will then form an aneurism. If complete, it may produce death 

 when it involves a large vessel, especially if it is situated in one of 

 the large cavities permitting an excessive escape of blood. Rupture 

 may be produced by mechanical violence or accident. 



Symptoms. In fatal rupture associated with profuse bleeding, 

 the animal becomes weak, the visible mucous membranes become 

 blanched, the breathing hurried or gasping, pupils dilated, stagger- 

 ing in gait, syncope, death. When the hemorrhage is limited, the 

 symptoms may not become noticeable ; if it is near the surface of the 

 body a round or diffuse swelling or tumor may form. If the rup- 

 ture is associated with an external wound the bleeding artery should 

 be ligated, or where a bandage is applicable, pressure may be applied 

 by tight bandaging. As a secondary result of rupture of an artery 

 we may have formation of abscess, gangrene of a part, etc. 



Treatment. When rupture of a deep-seated artery is suspected, 

 large doses of fluid extract of ergot may be given to produce con- 

 traction of the blood vessels. Tannin and iron are also useful. The 

 animal should be allowed to have as much water as he desires. 

 Afterwards stimulants and nourishing food are indicated. 



THROMBUS AND EMBOLISM. 



By thrombosis is generally understood the partial or complete 

 closure of a vessel by a morbid product developed at the site of the 

 obstruction. The coagulum, which is usually fibrinous, is known as 

 a thrombus. The 1 term embolism designates an obstruction caused 

 by any body detached and transported from the interior of the heart 

 or of some vessel. Thrombi occur as the result of an injury to the 

 wall of the vessel or may follow its compression or dilatation ; they 

 may result from some alteration of the wall of the vessel by disease 

 or by the retardation of the circulation. These formations may 

 occur during life, in the heart, arteries, veins, or in the portal sys- 

 tem. When a portion of fibrin coagulates in one of the arteries and 

 is carried along by the circulation, it will be arrested, of course, in 

 the capillaries, if not before; when in the veins, it may not be 

 stopped until it reaches the lungs; and when in the portal system, 

 the capillaries of the liver will prevent its further progress. 



Symptoms. When heart clot, or thrombus, exists in the right 

 side, the return of blood from the body and the aeration in the 

 lungs is impeded, and if death occurs, it is owing to syncope rather 

 than to strangulation in pulmonary respiration. There will be 

 hurried and gasping breathing, paleness and coldness of the surface 

 of the body, a feeble and intermittent or fluttering pulse, and faint- 

 ing. When a fibrinous coagulum is carried into the pulmonary 

 artery from the right side of the heart, the indications are a swelling 

 and infiltration of the lungs and pulmonary apoplexy. When the 

 clot is situated in the left cavities of the heart or in the aorta, death, 



