INFLAMMATION OF THE JUGULAR VEIN. 573 



otherwise. If abscesses have abeady formed, they must be 

 opened before the blister is applied, for if this precaution be 

 not taken, the pus may break down the barrier which surrounds 

 it, thus entering the circulation, and leading to very serious or 

 even fatal consequences. 



I find that writers upon human surgery recommend leeches, 

 fomentations, poultices, and other metliods of treatment which 

 — in veterinary practice, at least — have been found to retard 

 the healing process, and I would suggest very respectfully that 

 the method by blistering is worthy of their consideration. 



Inflammation of the jugular always terminates in the conver- 

 sion of the vessel into an impervious cord, by the organization 

 of the clot ; and for this reason a horse having suffered from it 

 should not be turned out to grass, as the collateral circulation 

 seems to be insufficient to convey the blood from the head whilst 

 it is kept in the depending position during grazing ; and as a 

 consequence much serum is effused into the areolar tissue of the 

 face, cheeks, lips, and nostrils, interfering with the process of 

 mastication ; and by diminishing the calibre of the nostrils, pre- 

 venting the due admission of air into the lungs. 



DIFFUSE PHLEBITIS. 



This originates from irritation of a vein, as from punctured 

 wounds in their vicinity, or it may supervene on the circum- 

 scribed form, the barrier to the admission of the pus — already 

 described — giving way from some cause. The symptoms differ 

 from those of the circumscribed form by extension of the swell- 

 ing along the course of the vein, sw^elling of the lymphatics, 

 acute oedema, and tension of the par^ resembling an erysipela- 

 tous inflammation. 



In acute diffuse phlebitis the inflammation extends along the 

 lining membrane ; fibrinous deposits are formed in various 

 parts, and even in the right side of the heart. In other cases, 

 where the progress of the disease is slower, the joints become 

 affected by purulent deposits. 



Wherever there is extensive venous circulation, as in the 

 lungs, liver, joints, and intermuscular areolar tissue, there 

 venous congestion and eff'usion take place ; inflammation and 

 abscesses follow. The following case may advantageously be 



