DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 249 



glands, through which the fluids pass to reach the right Ij-mphatic 

 vein and thoracic duct, both of which enter the venous sj^stem near 

 the heart. Through the excessively thin walls of the capillaries the 

 fluid part of the blood transudes, to nourish the tissues outside 

 the capillaries; at the same time fluid passes from the tissues into the 

 blood. The fluid, after it passes into the tissues, constitutes the Ijmiph, 

 and acts like a stream irrigating the tissue elements. Much of the 

 surplus of this Ij-mpli passes into the Ijnuph vessels, which in their 

 commencement can hardlj be treated as independent structures, since 

 their walls are so closely joined with the tissues through which they 

 pass, being nothing more than spaces in the connective tissue until 

 they reach the larger lymph vessels, which finally empty into lymph 

 glands. These Ijnnph glands are structures so placed that the lymph 

 flowing toward the larger trunks passes through them, undergoing a 

 short of filtration. From the fact of this arrangement lymph glands are 

 sul)ject to inflammator}^ diseases in the vicinit}^ of diseased structures, 

 because infective material being conveyed in the lymph strea,m lodges 

 in the glands and produces irritation. 



LOCAL INFLAMMATION AND ABSCESS OF LYMPHATIC GLANDS. 



Acute inflammation of the 13'mph glands usually occurs in connec- 

 tion with some inflammatory process in the region from which its 

 lymph is gathered. Several or all of the glands in a cluster may 

 become affected, as in strangles, nasal catarrh, or nasal gleet, diseased 

 or ulcerated teeth, the Ij^mph glands between the branches of the 

 lower jaw almost invariably become affected, which may lead to sup- 

 puration or induration. Similar results obtained in other portions of 

 the body; in pneumonia the bronchial glands become affected; in 

 pharyngitis, the postpharyngeal glands h^ing above the trachea become 

 affected, etc. 



Si/mptoms. — The glands swell and become painful to the touch, the 

 connective tissue surrounding them becomes involved, suppuration 

 usually takes place, and one or more abscesses form. If the inflamma- 

 tion is of a milder type, resolution ma}^ take place and the swelling 

 recede, the exudative material being absorbed, and the gland restored 

 without the occurrence of suppuration. In the limbs a whole chain of 

 the glands along the lymphatic vessels may become affected, as in 

 farcy, phlebitis, or septic poisoning. 



Treatment. — Fomentation with hot water and the application of 

 camphorated soap liniment or camphorated oil may produce a revul- 

 sive action and prevent suppuration. If there is an}^ indication of 

 abscess forming, poultices of linseed meal and bran made into a paste 

 with hot water should be applied, or a mild blistering ointment rubbed 

 in over the swollen gland. As soon as fluctuation can be felt a free 

 opening must be made for the escape of the contained pus. The 



