3G2 WOUNDS AXD THEIR TREATMENT 



{■[ally of the fasciee, tendons, muscles and bones, and it may be taken up in 

 the blood, and portions of the diseased tissues are carried in the circula- 

 tion to different parts of the body. 



Diffuse phlegmon is generally a very serious condition. The local 

 symptoms are the same as the circumscribed, but the fever is much 

 higher, and the purulent pus rapidly extends in all directions in the 

 loose connective tissue, undermining and frequently causing extensive 

 necrosis of the skin, fasciae, muscles, tendons, etc. Death occurs, as a 

 rule, from septicamiia or pyaemia. 



The treatment of diffused phlegmon consists of scarification and 

 incisions. Numerous slight incisions are made to reduce the inflamma- 

 tory tension of the tissues and to encourage the pus to escape, also to 

 prevent it from burrowing in different directions, and to make an opening 

 into the parts so that they can be disinfected by means of injections or 

 irrigations of 1 to 1000 solution of corrosive sublimate, 3 to 5 per cent, 

 of carbolic acid, or 2 per cent, of creolin. In circumscribed phlegmon 

 it is better, as a rule, to wait until the abscess is in that condition known 

 as "ripe," or until it" points." This can be distinguished from the fact 

 that the swelling fluctuates or is soft in the centre. In a light skin it may 

 be even yellow. As soon as the incision is made it should be emptied and 

 irrigated and injected with an antiseptic solution, afterward treated as 

 an ordinary wound. 



Inflammation of the Lymphatics {Lymphangitis). — This is caused 

 by poison absorbed from an unclean, unhealthy wound, although in 

 some instances it may be caused by a high nitrogenous condition of the 

 blood due to overfeeding. The author has observed several cases in 

 dogs where one or more of the legs was hot, painful, and swollen, and 

 there were also lameness and an increase of temperature. On examining 

 the subcutaneous lymphatics they were found to be enlarged, presenting a 

 peculiar corded appearance and running in the direction of certain of 

 the lymphatics. These were enlarged and very tender to the touch. 

 In cases of this kind we may see two terminations: first, a rapid recovery; 

 second, the formation of an abscess containing a large amount of purulent 

 pus in the swollen lymphatic glands, producing extensive inflammation, 

 blood-poisoning, and the animal eventually dying from septicaemia. 



The therapeutic treatment consists first in the iri'igation of the parts 

 with cooling applications, and, if the glands show indications of forming 

 abscesses, apply hot poultices and open as soon as possible. 



Inflammation of the Walls of the Blood Vessels (Phlebitis). — This is 

 especially interesting to the veterinarian, as it is quite frequently seen in 

 the dog. Purulent inflammations of the blood vessels are seen in con- 

 nection with infectious purulent wounds, and originate as a secondary 

 symptom by extension of the suppurating process from the surrounding 



