370 ENZOOTIC AND EPIZOOTIC DISEASES. 



viortem is carefully performed, the effusion is clear at its upper 

 and turbid at its lower part. 



If the inflammatory process has been less rapid, the lymph is 

 of a more consistent appearance, and forms over the inflamed 

 parts flocculi of various sizes, or a distinct lining varying in 

 thickness, and of a honey-combed appearance ; but the lymph in 

 the epizootic form does not possess the firmness, plasticity, and 

 tendency to organization which is characteristic of that of the 

 sporadic form of the disease. These bands of lymph are some- 

 times of very rapid formation, and they may even show some 

 trace of organization in forty-eight hours after attack. This fact 

 is of considerable importance legally, as it is often found that 

 if a horse dies in a week or two after purchase, an attempt is 

 made to compel the seller to refund the purchase-money on the 

 ground that the animal was diseased prior to the date of sale. 

 Old bands of lymph, and such as indicate previous disease, are 

 firm, organized, of a glistening appearance, and unite the oppos- 

 ing surfaces more or less firmly together. New bands of lymph, 

 on the contrary, are soft, watery, and the parts which they may 

 attach together are easily separated. 



In some instances, extravasations of blood give the lymph a 

 red colour. This must not be mistaken for vascularity, as the 

 latter would denote organization and age. 



Examined microscopically, the lymph exhibits the presence 

 of numerous inliammatory corpuscles, oil globules, and ill- 

 developed fibres. 



The exudate into the lung tissue is also wanting in plasticity, 

 the lung cuts up soft and moist, a whitish fluid oozing from the 

 cut surfaces. 



In some cases, v/here the vital powers have been very low, or 

 where they have become weakened by injudicious treatment, an 

 abundant, turbid, foetid fluid has been thrown out, partaking 

 much of the character of unhealthy pus ; or abscesses form in 

 the lungs, and in rare instances gangrene of the lungs has 

 occurred. 



The pulmonary complication is generally found at the inferior 

 portions of the lung, and in many instances the exudate indi- 

 cates that the process is wanting in the true character of plastic 

 inflammation. 



