ANEUEISMAL VARIX. 585 



ANEUEISMAL VARIX. 



"VVTien a direct communication is accidentally or otherwise 

 made between an arterial and venous trunk, a disease may he 

 formed which is called " aneurismal varix!' It may occur on 

 any part where an artery and vein in proximity to each other 

 are both wounded. Three wounds are made before the disease 

 takes place ; for example, an aneurismal varix may occur from 

 venesection, especially when the blood is drawn from the 

 jugular ; a large fleam being used, or a lancet plunged too 

 deeply, the vein is wounded on each side, and the carotid 

 artery is penetrated ; the wound upon the outer side of the 

 vein may heal, but that on its inner side and that in the 

 carotid may remain open, and through these openings a com- 

 munication is established between the two vessels. The effects 

 of this direct ingress of the arterial blood into the vein causes 

 the latter to become widened, and to present sac-like dilata- 

 tions; the artery on the distal side of the disease becomes 

 smaller, and its coats thinner, whilst on the proximal side of 

 the wound it is usually widened. 



The symptoms of aneurismal varix are the swelled condition 

 of the vein, the feeble pulsation of the artery beyond the seat of 

 the disease, and a thrill or Iruit being perceptible when the part 

 is auscultated. 



This form of aneurism calls for no special remarks as to treat- 

 ment. Horses were very often affected with it in the days of 

 excessive and repeated bleedings, and they seemed to suffer no 

 inconvenience. 



VAEICOSE ANEURISM 



Differs from the last form of false aneurism by the communica- 

 tion between the two vessels being indirect; thus, the blood 

 escaping from a wound in the artery passes into the surrounding 

 areolar tissue, which it distends into a sac, and from this sac 

 it is discharged into a vein. 



In the treatment of false aneurism, especially the diffuse form, 

 the flow of blood into the tissue must be arrested by cutting dow^n 

 on the tumour, cleaning out the coagula, and tying the artery 

 upon both sides of the wounded point. In small wounds of 



