PHLEBITIS. 331 



Chronic phlebitis may occur in association with arterio- 

 sclerosis, the changes being of the same character, but rarely 

 so marked. Calcareous infiltration of the affected areas is 

 much less common. 



Varix is a dilatation of veins analogous to the aneurismal 

 dilatation of arteries. The essential factor in its production 

 is an increase in blood-pressure within the veins, as by passive 

 hypersemia due to heart disease, pressure of a tumor or the 

 gravid uterus. 



The veins are not only dilated but elongated, and thus 

 become tortuous and convoluted ; the circulation through 

 them is greatly slowed, and it is not infrequent for thrombosis 

 to occur in consequence. 



