DISEASES OF HORSES 377 



if it occurs, takes place either suddenly or at the end of a few hours 

 from coma. 



Treatment. The urgent symptoms should be relieved by rest, 

 stimulants, and the use of agents which will act as solvents to the 

 fibrinous clots. Carbonate of ammonia may be administered in all 

 cases of thrombus, and should be continued for a long time in small 

 doses several times a day. In cases of great debility associated with 

 a low grade of fever, stimulants and tonics may be beneficial. 



DISEASES OF VEINS, OR PHLEBITIS. 



Inflammation of veins may be simple or diffuse. In simple 

 phlebitis the disease of the vein is confined to a circumscribed or 

 limited portion of a vein ; in diffuse it involves the vein for a long 

 distance; it may even extend from a limb or foot to the heart. 

 Phlebitis may be induced by contusions or direct injuries, an ex- 

 tension of inflammation from surrounding tissue, such as in ab- 

 scess, formation of tumor, or malignant growth. It is often due 

 to embolism of infective material, gangrenous matter, etc. Blood- 

 letting from the jugular vein is occasionally followed by dangerous 

 phlebitis. 



Symptoms and Pathology. The symptoms vary according to 

 the extent and severity of the inflammation. In most cases the vein 

 is swollen, thickened, and indurated to such a degree as to resemble 

 an artery. A diffused swelling, with great tenderness, may extend 

 along the affected vessel and the animal manifest all the symptoms 

 connected with acute fever and general functional disturbance. 

 The disease is only serious when large veins are affected. The coats 

 undergo the same changes as in arteritis ; clots of blood and lymph 

 plug the inflamed vessel, and, if the inflammatory process con- 

 tinues, these are converted into pus, which ruptures the vessel and 

 produces a deep abscess ; or it may be carried away in the circulation 

 and produce abscess in the lungs or other remote organs. In mild 

 cases the clots may become absorbed and the vessel restored to 

 health. Phlebitis in the course of the veins of the limbs frequently 

 leads to numerous abscesses, which may be mistaken for farcy ulcer- 

 ations. 



Treatment. Phlebitis should be treated by the application of 

 a smart blister along the course of the inflamed vessel; early open- 

 ing of any abscesses which may form ; the animal should have com- 

 plete rest, and the bowels be kept loose with bran mashes. When 

 the fever runs high, half-ounce doses of nitrate of potassa may be 

 given in the drinking water, which may be changed in two or 

 three days for 1-dram doses of the iodide of potassa. If the animal 

 becomes debilitated, carbonate of ammonia, 1 dram, and powdered 

 gentian, 3 drams, may be given every six hours. 



VARICOSE VEINS, VARIX, OR DILATATION OF VEINS. 



This may be a result of weakening of the coats from inflam- 

 matory disease and degeneration. It may also be due to mechan- 

 ical obstruction from internal or external sources. It is sometimes 

 found in the vein which lies superficial over the inside of the hock 

 joint, and may be due to the pressure of a spavin. Occasionally it 



