266 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



III. — Diseases of the Veins. 



5. Inflammation of a Vein (Phlebitis). 



The jugular veins are more frequently affected by in- 

 flammation than others. 



Causes. — Neglect to give proper attention to cleanliness 

 when bleeding — using a rusty fleam, a rusty pin or dirty 

 hands — is often the cause. Rubbing the neck against some- 

 thing after bleeding, turning a horse out to grass so that he 

 may hold his head down after bleeding, or any condition 

 tending to interfere with the circulation may cause clotting, 

 swelling and then inflammation. 



Symptoms. — There is swelling along that side of the neck 

 at which the incision was made when bleeding. If the head 

 has been allowed down it, too, may be swollen on that side. 

 The swelling is hard and painful, and in a few days the 

 formation of clotted blood causes festering, finally breaking 

 out in small boils or abscesses. 



Treatment. — Keep the head well tied up and bathe the 

 sides of the neck with warm water and vinegar four times a 

 day for half an hour at a time, and each time, after bathing 

 apply white liniment. If the neck beals or festers, open the 

 places with a knife and allow the matter to escape. When 

 this is done change the treatment to white lotion instead of 

 liniment. Do this until all the swelling and inflammation 

 disappears and the bealing places are healed; then blister, 

 using the following: 



Vaseline, or Lard 1 ounce. 



Pulverized Cantharides, or Spanish Fly V/ 2 drams. 



Mix well together and rub along the swollen part of the 

 neck. Tie his head short so that he can not rub it. Rub in 

 well and grease the blistered parts in three days after. Allow 

 it to remain for two or three weeks, or until it heals, and if 

 the swelling is not down, blister again and follow the same 

 directions as before. In after treatment do not turn him out 

 to pasture for a year or so, for the head will swell on account 

 of not having the use of this vein. Keep him in the stable 

 and feed from a high manger, and he will be just as useful as 

 ever. After a time the other jugular vein enlarges so that it 

 does the work of both veins. When buying a horse look at 

 both sides of his neck to see that the veins are all right. 



