LYMPHANGITIS. 591 



of the limb; at least, all that I examined. The lymphatic 

 glands were also greatly enlarged ; and on cutting into their 

 substance, the knife met with considerable resistance ; a scirrhous 

 structure was exposed ; the yellow fluid flowed forth in abun- 

 dance ; and on carefully exposing the vessels which terminated 

 in the glands, and slitting them up, the same kind of liquor 

 was liberated. The internal surface of the vessels presented 

 here and there patches of a light red colour ; and on comparing 

 the vessels with those of the other limb, they were without 

 doubt larger ; many of them were double the size in calibre." 

 — (Haycock's Contributions to Veterinary Pathology) One re- 

 markable symptom was observable in the foregoing case that is 

 rarely witnessed, namely, the visible enlargement of the lym- 

 phatics after the accession of the swelling of the limb. In all 

 the cases that have fallen under my notice, the enlargement of 

 the absorbents, though undoubtedly present, has been hidden 

 or masked when the areolar tissue has become swollen. 



Horses that have once been attacked by lymphangitis are 

 liable to a recurrence of the malady, and generally one attack 

 succeeds another periodically, until the limb assumes an enlarged 

 or distended condition termed elephantiasis, — a state in which 

 it is found that the areolar tissue of the limb has become 

 hypertrophied by the organization of some portion of the ex- 

 udate formed at each successive attack. 



Inflammation of the lymphatics, unless when excited by a 

 specific poison, such as the morbid material of glanders and 

 farcy, seldom runs on to the formation of pus. Occasionally, 

 however, the lympliatic glands, more particularly the inguinal, 

 suppurate and discharge the contained pus. Suppuration of the 

 glands may be suspected when lymphangitis continues longer 

 than usual, and when the swelling extends along the abdomen, 

 sheath, or mammary glands. After a time, the swelling in the 

 groin becomes more prominent, but it never has very well 

 defined limits, appearing more as a purulent infiltration than as 

 a true abscess. As soon as it can be ascertained that pus is 

 formed, the parts must be freely laid open, a good depending 

 orifice being essential, for the pus is apt to burrow into the 

 surrounding fascia and areolar tissue. 



The causes of lymphangitis are irritation of the lymphatic 

 glands by chyle rich in nutritive products, and, in some rare 



