LYMPHANGITIS. 591, 



of tile Lbib; at least, all that I examined. Tlie lympliatia| 

 glands were also greatly enlarged ; and on cutting into tliei]:< 

 substance, the knife met with considerable resistance ; a scin-houaJ 

 structure was exposed ; the yellow fluid flowed forth in abun-j 

 dance ; and on carefully exposing the vessels which terminatedi 

 in the glands, and slitting them up, the same kind of liquor, 

 was liberated. The internal surface of the vessels presented i 

 here and there patches of a light red colour ; and on comparing , 

 the vessels with those of the other limb, they were without , 

 doubt larger ; many of them were double the size in calibre." ^ 

 — (Haycock's Contrxbutions to Veterinary Pathology^ One re- 

 markable symptom was observable in the foregoing case that is 

 rarely witnessed, namely, the visible enlargement of the lym- 

 phatics after the accession of the swelling of the limb. In aU 

 the cases that have fallen under my notice, the enlai-gement of 

 the absorbents, though undoubtedly present, has been hidden 

 or masked when the areolar tissue has become swollen. 



Horses that have once been attacked by lymphangitis are 

 liable to a recurrence of the malady, and generally one attack 

 succeeds another periodically, until the limb assumes an enlarged 

 or distended condition termed elephantiasis, — a state in which 

 it is found that the areolar tissue of the limb has become 

 hypertrophied by the organization of some portion of the ex- 

 udate formed at each successive attack. 



Inflammation of the lymphatics, unless when excited by a 

 speciiic poison, such as the morbid material of glanders andl 

 farcy, seldom runs on to the formation of pus. Occasionally, 

 however, the lymphatic glands, more particularly the inguinal, 

 suppurate and discharge the contained pus. Suppuration of the 

 glands may be suspected when lymphangitis continues longer 

 than UGual, and when the swelling extends along the abdomen, 

 sheath, or mammary glands. After a time, the swelling in the 

 groin becomes more prominent, but it never has very well 

 defined limits, appearing more as a purulent infiltration than as 

 a true abscess. As soon as it can be ascertained that pus is, 

 formed, the parts must be freely laid open, a good depending 

 orifice being essential, for the pus is apt to burrow into the 

 surrounding fascia and areolar tissue. 



The causes of lymphangitis are irritation of the lymphatic 

 glands by chyle rich in nutritive products, and, in some rare. 



