554 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



the condition ; the only possible termination for such a case 

 being death. 



Embolism. — A small piece of diseased endocardium may- 

 become detached and carried along by the circulation ; 

 the blood clots around it until it attains a considerable size 

 and obstructs the circulation. It is most frequently noticed in 

 connection with the femoral artery, and may be the starting- 

 point of an aneurism.. When in the femoral artery the 

 symptoms are very peculiar, the lameness is sometimes very 

 severe, the patient manifests very great pain, and the limb 

 on being handled is found to be deathly cold. The pain 

 may be so intense as to cause perspiration to break out in 

 patches over the animal's body. He may suddenly recover, 

 and appear all right in a few minutes, but is liable to 

 another attack at any time. An examination per rectum 

 will very much assist the practitioner in arriving at a cor- 

 rect diagnosis. If the arrest of the circulation is complete, 

 most agonizing pain is suffered by the patient, and death 

 very quickly takes place. 



Treatment. — The treatment consists of applying warmth 

 to the affected limb. Hence fomentations should be freely 

 applied to the limb ; the water being as hot as it can be 

 applied without scalding the parts. Hot liniments and 

 stimulating applications of various kinds may also be 

 applied, and should be applied with smart friction. If 

 the above treatment fails to give relief, and the limb 

 remains cold, the practitioner may rest assured that the 

 circulation of blood through the part is obstructed. Aconite 

 may be given to reduce the heart's action, and opium to 

 relieve pain. On making a post-mortem examination, 

 extensive suppuration may be revealed in connection with 

 the part. 



