378 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



may be observed in stallions, which are more or less subject to dila- 

 tation of the veins of the testicular cord. Hemorrhoidal veins, or 

 piles, are occasionally met with, generally in horses which run at 

 pasture. Varicose veins may ulcerate and form an abscess in the 

 surrounding tissues, or they may rupture from internal blood pres- 

 sure and the blood form large tumors where the tissues are soft. 



Treatment. Stallions which manifest a tendency to varicocele 

 should wear suspensory bags when they are exercised. Piles may 

 often be reduced by astringent washes tea made from white-oak 

 bark or a saturated solution of alum. The bowels should be kept 

 loose with bran mashes and the animal kept quiet in the stable. 

 When varicose veins exist superficially and threaten to produce in- 

 convenience, they may be ligated above and below and thus obliter- 

 ated. Sometimes absorption may be induced by constant bandages. 



DISEASES OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



The lymphatic, or absorbent, system is connected with the 

 blood-vascular system, and consists of a series of tubes which absorb 

 and convey to the blood certain fluids. These tubes lead to lym- 

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

 lymphatic vein and thoracic duct, both 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 tissues 

 outside the capillaries ; at the same time fluid passes from the tissues 

 into the blood. 



LOCAL INFLAMMATION AND ABSCESS OF LYMPHATIC GLANDS. 



Acute inflammation of the lymph glands usually occurs in con- 

 nection with some inflammatory process in the region from which 

 its lymph is gathered. Several or all of the glands in a cluster may 

 become affected, as in strangles, nasal catarrh, or nasal gleet, dis- 

 eased or ulcerated teeth, the lymph glands between the branches of 

 the lower jaw almost invariably become affected, which may lead to 

 suppuration. Similar results obtain in other portions of the body; 

 in pneumonia the bronchial glands become affected; in pharyn- 

 gitis, the glands lying above the trachea become affected, etc. 



Symptoms. The glands swell and become painful to the touch, 

 the connective tissue surrounding them becomes involved, suppura- 

 tion usually takes place, and one or more abscesses form. If the in- 

 flammation is of a milder type, resolution may take place and the 

 swelling recede, the exudative material being absorbed, and the 

 gland restored without the occurrence of suppuration. In the limbs 

 a whole chain of the glands along the lymphatic vessels may become 

 affected, as in farcy, phlebitis, or septic poisoning. 



Treatment. Fomentation with hot water and the application 

 of camphorated soap liniment or camphorated oil may produce a re- 

 vulsive action and prevent suppuration. If there is any indication 

 of abscess forming, poultices of linseed meal and bran made into a 

 paste with hot water should be applied, or a mild blistering oint- 

 ment rubbed in over the swollen gland. As soon as fluctuation can 

 be felt a free opening must be made for the escape of the con- 

 tained pus. The wound may subsequently be washed out with a 



