594 DISEASES OF THE AETERIE^ AND LYMPHATICS. 



is actually present, by avoiding exercise or work, until at least 

 the inflammatory condition of the part has subsided. 



In chronic swelled legs, large doses of veratrum are recom- 

 mended by some veterinarians. When the swelling is due to a 

 mere dropsical effusion, this remedy is a most effectual one ; but 

 when the adventitious tissue is organized, it is useless to punish 

 the animal for no possible good result. 



The lymphatic vessels may be inflamed from causes that may 

 be traceable to some local lesion, as wounds, and particularly 

 bruises ; the inflammation of the lymphatics being denoted by 

 swelling along their course, their coats becoming thickened and 

 infiltrated with exudation. This condition is notably produced 

 by saddle or harness galls, when the bruise may be seen 

 surrounded by swollen lymphatic vessels, running in various 

 directions, and to the extent of a foot or two, in some instances. 

 Again, a pricked or punctured foot may give rise to inflamma- 

 tion of the lymphatics, with swelling of them both above and 

 below the knee or hock joints, giving rise to a difficulty in 

 diagnosis without a thorough examination of the foot. 



Sympathetic inflammati^in, and even suppuration of the 

 lymphatic glands, may also be occasionally witnessed ; but they 

 call for no special comment, nor any guidance for treatment 

 beyond what has already been laid down. 



Suppurative inflammation of the lymphatics gives rise to 

 small isolated abscesses along their course, forming, as it were, 

 loci of the disease, each of which appears to serve as a fresh 

 focus of morbid action ; this may be witnessed in farcy, a disease 

 with which I do not intend at present to deal, and occasionally 

 in sympathetic inflammation connected with violent diseases of 

 the foot or leg. 



During the early stages of inflammation of the lymphatics a 

 restricted and cooling diet is to be prescribed ; for the reasons 

 already laid down, that highly nutritious food is a direct 

 stimulus to the glandular system. After the more acute 

 symptoms have passed away, and when debility supervenes, the 

 animal's strength must be maintained, and the absorption of the 

 exudate encouraged by a well regulated nutritious diet ; whilst 

 the swollen limb is to be strengthened and supported by 

 moderately firm bandages ; the absorption of the exudate, 

 stimulated by frictions with the hand, and some gentle stimu- 



