CIRCULATORY AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS 291 



extreme caution (Inflammation of the Bowels, pay. 260). Animals 

 once affected are subject to subsequent attacks, and may ultimately 

 end with their having a chronic thick leg, which in some cases gets 

 to an enormous size. This is called elephantiasis. 



453. Elephantiasis (Plate XXI.) consists of a chronic abnormal 

 thickening of the connective tissues beneath the skin. The horse 

 may continue to do slow work on the farm, feeding and doing well, 

 but the leg is very unsightly. I have had best results from applying 

 a cold-water hay bandage to the leg every night, while tarring the 

 limb and giving a winter's run at grass have also a wonderfully good 

 effect. Liniments of a slightly stimulating nature may also be used, 

 but I have tried blisters, setons, etc., without any avail. 



454. Inflammation of the Lymphatics is a corded, painful 

 enlargement of the vessels, and is frequently induced in the limbs by 

 injuries, such as wounds, thorn-pricks, bruised ankles, and cracked 

 heels. In some cases the vessels are enlarged to such an extent that 

 the gland at the top and inner part of the leg becomes so much 

 inflamed that often an abscess is formed, which, if it does not burst 

 of its own accord, has to be opened and the matter liberated. 

 Treatment. — The leg should be dressed with an antiseptic mixture, 

 and alterative tonic medicine given night and morning (par. 1073, 

 No. III.). 



455. Lymphangitis Epizootica, or septic inflammation of the 

 lymphatic vessels and the formation of ulcerative sores of a con- 

 tagious character. The malady simulates glanders and farcy, but 

 differs from them in the absence of the glanderous bacilli, and does 

 not react to the mallein test. The disease was prevalent in the late 

 South African War, and is mostly of a chronic nature. It makes 

 itself manifest by enlargement and thickening of the lymphatic 

 vessels, which seem like branches of a tree on different parts of the 

 body, but the limbs particularly, with the formation of abscesses 

 and ulcers. On account of its contagious nature, it should not be 

 dallied with, but reported to the authorities at once. 



456. Swelled Legs and Sheath. — During the winter months, 

 when horses are stall-fed and have thick coats of hair, they are 



