434 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



here found, and that large numbers of white corpuscles are 

 continually passing away from it to enter the general circu- 

 lation of the body. The whole of the gland may be re- 

 moved from the body, and the animal not only live, but 

 grow fat, developing an enormous appetite, but usually 

 dies of apoplexy in course of time. Diseases of the spleen 

 are not very common, but in all probability the gland 

 suffers more frequently from disease than is generally sup- 

 posed. It is undoubtedly more or less affected in all cases 

 of ' miasmatic fever,' in 'splenic apoplexy,' and in 'Texas 

 fever.' It is more liable to suffer from hypertroph}^ than 

 from any other condition. Congestion of the spleen may 

 take place, and run on until complete disintegration of the 

 gland results. 



In congestion of the spleen the organ becomes engorged 

 with blood, and death may result very quickly, or the 

 animal may live for several days, and die ; in other cases 

 recovery ma}' eventually take place. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of the condition as occurring 

 in the ox are a weak and rapid pulse ; the animal rolls 

 and stamps violently, bellows, and evidently suffers pain of 

 a severe character. He becomes gradually weaker, and may 

 die within a few hours. 



Treaiment. — It is doubtful if treatment is of much effi- 

 cacy, and any that may be employed should be more for 

 the purpose of relieving pain, etc., hence opiates should be 

 given. Aconite, in ordinary-sized doses, may also be of 

 service. Each symptom, as it appears, should be combated 

 according to its indications. Horses suffer with congestion 

 of the spleen more frequently than other animals. The 

 symptoms are, however, very vague and uncertain, and fre- 

 quently it is impossible to tell what is the matter with the 

 horse. It is most common in the Southern States of 

 America, and on removing the animal to the North, or to 



