58 CAUSES, SYMl'TOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



takes twenty or thirty days before convalescence. Then give nutritive 

 food and tonic medicines. 



LYMPHiTIC SYSTEH. 



This system is formed of a great number of small vessels distributed 

 throughout the body, beginning in the network of small vessels, imbedded 

 in areolar tissue. These converge towards the lymphatic or absorbent sys- 

 tem. Absorption goes on by various means — to some extent by the blood 

 vessels. A swelling in the horse's leg is gotten rid of principally by the 

 lymphatic vessel?. It is a very important system. These vessels derived 

 their name from lymph, the fluid they contain ; called absorbents, because 

 they absorb effete material. Chylifereus, or lacteal vessels, carry the 

 milk-like Huid called chyle. It passes through the system for the 

 building up the tissues But all the chyle is not taken up by these 

 vessels. The villi of the intestines take up some of it, and pass it into 

 the blood directly. This can be seen in a subject, by killing it while 

 digestion is going on This system includes a great number of glands, 

 called lymphatic glands. In some parts of the body they are collected 

 in great numbers, especially about the groins, head, neck and jaw. These 

 vessels are very minute and delicate, cannot all be seen by the naked eye ; 

 more plentiful than veins They are superficial, and deep-seated. They 

 contain extremely small valves, like veins. The whole lymphatic sys- 

 tem of the body pours its contents into the venous circulation by two 

 ducts, the thoracic duct and the lymphatic vein. Thoracic duct orginates 

 in the lumbar regions. It is guarded by a valve, and is the larger of the 

 two. It receives all the othf^rs, except those of the right anterior extrem- 

 ity, the right side of the Lead, neck and thorax. 



DISEASES OF THE LYMPH.\TIC SYSTEM, 



Lymph Olailds in the mesentery are called mesenteric. They vary 

 from the size of a pin head to that of a pea. 



Lyiliplianj^itis.— Inflammation of the glands and vessels, known by 

 many names, as water fancy, weed, shot of grease, inflammatory odima, 

 big leg, Monday morning fever, etc. It is frequent in horses, and is 

 likely to be more so, from being better fi d. It is usually confined to the 

 extremities, but may occur in the internal lymphatic glands. It is 

 usually found in one hind leg ; may occur in both, or even in the fore 

 legs, and so puzzle you to some extent The inflammatory action is set 

 up in the glands, and extends into the vessels, and produces swelling. 

 Heavy horses are more subject to it, from a more sluggish circulation, 

 and some animals are predisposed to it. 



Causes. — It is common in hard worked horses, by standing them in 

 the stable, and giving usual amount of food. A larger amount of nutri- 

 tive material is formed than can be taken up, which sets up the irritation. 

 It is frequently found in certain stables on Monday morning ; hence its 

 name, Monday morning fever. Usual feeding without usual exercise is 

 the most common cause in city practice ; direct or indirect injury to the 

 groin; prick in the foot; debilitated condition of the blood; excess of 

 fibrine in the blood. The change in the breaking up of the tissue taken 

 into the system, and over stimulating t* e glands also produce it 



Symptoms. — A certain amount of constitutional disturbance ; may 

 have severe rigours (which may not be noticed by the owner) ; intense 

 fever ; lameness and swelling of the limb, usually of the inside of the 

 thigh, extends down the leg in a sort of hard cord ; the line of the 

 lymphatics plainly shown. There is difficulty in bringing the leg for- 



