204 INJURIES. 



forming a medium of adhesion between the clot and internal membrane ; 

 and the clot itself becomes gradually organized. There is in this in- 

 stance adhesive inflammation and organization of the blood without 

 suppuration. But if a stimulating injection be thrown into a portion of 

 a blood-vessel, the circulation having been previously suspended by 

 means of ligatures ; and if, after this is withdrawn, blood be again ad- 

 mitted and retained within the vessel, then a more violent degree of in- 

 flammation is excited on the internal membrane ; and instead of the 

 coagulable lymph and the entire clot becoming organized, they are ob- 

 served to acquire less consistency : small yellow globules are soon per- 

 ceived between their layers, and they gradually undergo a more or less 

 complete conversion into genuine pus." (Gendrin's Experiments on the 

 Formation of Pus.) 



Causes. — The cause of inflamed vein often is mismanage- 

 ment subsequent to the bleeding ; though^ in the majority 

 of cases, it arises from no obvious influence, and is never 

 occasioned by the operation. A horse, after being bled, 

 should have the head confined in an elevated position — 

 in other words, it should be racked up — -for the remainder 

 of the day : during which state of erection the blood 

 within the vein is continuing its course uninterruptedly 

 to the heart. Where this precaution is not taken, the prone 

 position of the head is unfavorable to the return of the 

 blood. An objection, moreover, to the head being left loose 

 is, the pin may be rubbed out of the neck and give fresh 

 vent to the blood.^ When a horse is ridden after being 

 bled, the rein rubs against the pin, and in that manner 

 does mischief. Should the animal be harnessed immediately- 

 after bleeding, the pressure of the collar may be followed 

 by evil consequences. It is reprehensible to use rusty or 

 dirty instruments in bleeding : they are apt to leave behind 

 particles of foreign matter, which, however minute, retard 

 adhesive union, and dispose the parts to take on unhealthy 

 action. Idiosyncrasy has, however, most to do with phlebitis. 

 Experiments seem to prove that no kind of instrument, and 



' This is an accident that happens every now and then during the night. I 

 have witnesbed several instances of it. I do not, however, recollect any that 

 tinned out fatal ; although, in some of thera, the loss of blood was considerable. 



