IXh'LAMMATloX "F THK I M i:l IJf.l L rni;],. 715 



soft, rtuctuatiii^' swellings, containing a yellow gelatinous iluid, often 

 appear on various parts of the body ; the creature refuses to suck ; 

 indications of colic or peritonitis are sometimes manifested, with enteror- 

 rhagia ; and in the majority of cases death rapidly ensues. 



Not infrequently the phlebitis is most intense in the internal abdominal 

 portion of tlie vein, and the pus, instead of freely escaping from the ex- 

 ternal opening, accumulates in the canal to such a degree as to form a 

 large swelling at the umbilical ring, which might be mistaken at the first 

 glance for a hernia. When this swelling has been opened, about half a 

 [)int of pus escapes in some instances. 



When a fatal termination does not quickly follow from septika'mia, or 

 from embolism of some important organs, through detached portions of 

 the thrombus being carried into them by the circulation, we may have 

 1 ironic morbid conditions of a pya^nic character set up, which are 

 iiaracterised by metastatic inflammation of the serous membranes in 

 various parts of the body, and particularly of the articulations. Indeed, 

 it is now recognised by the highest Continental veterinarians, that the 

 destructive arthritis or "joint disease" of Foals, Calves, and Lambs is 

 attributable to omphalo-phlebitis. Inflammation of the joints — especi- 

 ally of the hocks — has often been accidentally produced by tlie inllam- 

 mation excited through ligaturing the umbilical cord. 



Metastasis to the iris, choroid coat of the eye, diarrhoea, tumefaction 

 of the lymphatic glands, abscesses in the muscles and other parts, 

 etc., have been observed as a result of inflammation of the umbilical 

 cord. 



Pathological Anatoviy. 



In animals which have died or been killed in consequence of this 

 disease, the walls of the umbilical vein throughout the course of the 

 vessel are much thickened, and tlie communication with tlie portal vein 

 entirely interrupted by a blood clot. The vessel is flUed by a yellow 

 pulpy mass, foul-smelling in some cases, odourless in others ; while its 

 intinia is detached, and forms part of the contents. In the abdominal 

 cavity we may And effusion, exudation, and adhesion of various viscera, 

 with peritoneal ha^norrhagic spots. The portal and other abdominal 

 veins often contain matter similar to that in the uml)ilical vein ; the 

 liver is enlarged, in some cases atrophied, clay-coloured, and almost 

 bloodless. The lymphatics of the liver and mesentery are usually 

 nodulated, swollen, and infiltrated. The lungs in many instances 

 exhibit intense httMnorrhagic infarction, lobular pneumonia and its con- 

 sequence, and particularly purulent broncho-pneumonia. In special 

 cases, to be alluded to hereafter, the joints are swollen and inflamed, 

 and their capsules contain pus. When the creature lives until it 

 becomes cachectic, fatty degeneration of tiie muscles, with ecchymoses 

 in various parts of the body, is nearly always noted. 



Caitses. 

 The causes of omphalitis are numerous. They may be enumerated 

 as follows : the admission of air or foreign matters to the interior of the 

 umbilical vessels; bruises or injury to the umbilicus, either during birth 

 or afterwards : irritation of this part either by the litter, manure, or 

 urine ; the habit which certain females have of licking the umbilicus of 

 their progeny, or of young ci-eatures to suck the remains of the umbilical 

 cord of each other ; rupture of the cord close to, or within the abdomen; 



