59 



Treatment. — Fomentations with hot water will relieve the sore- 

 ness, unless an abcess is forming. If snch is known to be the 

 case a poultice of bran or flaxseed meal should be applied, and as 

 soon as fluctuation can be felt a free opening must be made and 

 the abcess washed with a solution of bichloride mercury 1-1000, 

 or creolin 1-50. If the gland does not suppurate, the enlargement 

 may be reduced by tincture of iodine applied twice daily. 



LYMPHANGITIS. 



Inflammation of the lymphatic structures, usually affecting the 

 hind leg, very seldom the fore leg. This disease is very sudden 

 in its attack, exceedingly painful, accompanied by a high tem- 

 perature and great general disturbance. 



Causes. — It usually attacks well-fed animals, especially after 

 one or two days' rest, and in such cases may be due to an excess 

 of nutritious elements in the blood. 



Synq^ttoms. — The first symptom noticed will be lameness in one 

 leg and swelling on the inside of the thigh. The swelling grad- 

 ally surrounds the whole limb, continuing dov^Tiward until it 

 reaches the foot. The limb is excessively tender to the touch 

 and is held up. The breathing is increased, pulse hard and quick 

 (80 to 100), and the temperature may reach 106". The bowels 

 early become constipated and the urine scanty and high colored. 

 Occasionally the lymphatic glands (in the groin) undergo sup- 

 puration, blood poisoning may supervene and prove fatal. 



Treatment. — Fomentations with warm water, to be continued 

 for one hour and repeated several times daily. Give a physic 

 (purgative) composed of 6 to 8 drams of aloes, 1 dram ginger, 

 and water to make a ball. Give at once. After the physic has 

 operated give ^g-onnce doses of nitrate of potash twice daily. 

 After the pain abates, moderate exercise and massage (hand 

 rubbing) will be of benefit. If the glands suppurate, open, and 

 wash them out with an antiseptic. The irrigations must be con- 

 tinued until the gland is well. 



