404 DISEASES OF BLOOD-VESSELS. 



Intoxication also plays a certain part, and microbic toxins are 

 responsible, at least at first, for the uncontrollable diarrhoea, arthritis 

 with sterile exudations, etc. 



Diagnosis. This presents no difficulty. The alarming general symp- 

 toms seen at the outset immediately suggest in the case of young animals 

 the possibility of disease in the umbilical region. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, it may be said very grave, 

 because treatment is difficult to apply, and dangerous complications, 

 which almost always prove fatal, may already have been set up. 



One must always distinguish, however, and take into account in 

 forming the prognosis, the special characteristics of the phlebitis, and 

 weigh carefully the signs of complication. The fistula should be 

 cautiously explored, and its depth, etc., noted, while the temperature, 

 circulation, respiration, etc., should be carefully studied. 



Treatment. A very important item of treatment consists in regu- 

 larly and scrupulously cleansing the region of the umbilicus after the 

 cord has separated and until the wound has completely cicatrised. 

 The parts are washed with boiled water and dusted with boric acid, 

 iodoform, etc. 



A still better plan, and one that almost certainly guards against this 

 disease, is to apply an antiseptic dry dressing as soon as the new-born 

 animal has become dry. This need only consist of a small sheet of 

 antiseptic cotton wool fixed to the umbilicus by four pitch bandages 

 or by two pieces of webbing passed over the back. In this way con- 

 tamination of the cord and the risk of infection are avoided. 



In cases of fully-developed phlebitis the old generation of practitioners 

 used to recommend local dressings with adhesive plasters, astringent 

 and vesicant applications, etc. All such methods are useless, because 

 they only act on a part of the diseased structures and cannot reach the 

 blind ends of the sinuses. The classic treatment of suppurative phlebitis 

 also is out of the question. 



All that can be done, therefore, is slightly to open up the sinuses 

 and wash them out frequently with antiseptic solutions, such as boiled 

 water, sublimate-glycerine, carbolic glycerine, etc., afterwards apply- 

 ing antiseptic dressings. These methods, however, are scarcely likely 

 to put an end to infectious complications such as suppurative poly- 

 arthritis. 



There is no danger in using strong carbolic solution, 3 per cent, 

 creolin, 4 per cent, chloride of zinc, sulphate of copper, etc. Should there 

 be several sinuses and should one of them extend in a backward direction, 

 it is necessary to make certain that no communication exists between 

 the urachus and the bladder. For this purpose some boiled water may 

 be injected into the sinus. If a communication exist, this water will 



