508 GENERAL DISEASES. 



are caused by specific micro-organisms, suggests the probability of 

 this form of lymphangitis being also infective. 



This disease is generally confined to cart-horses. 



SYMPTOMS. — The inflammation is usually limited to one hind 

 leg, the near one, as a rule ; although, in rare cases, both may be- 

 come affected. Or it may appear in a fore leg, usually the off 

 fore, according to Williams. The exceptional cases in which the 

 disease occurs in front, are much milder than when in the hind ex- 

 tremities. There is great lameness. The attack is preceded by a 

 shivering fit or cold stage; hence, the comnaon designation " shake." 

 The severity of the rigor is always proportionate to the duration of 

 the attack. This stage, as in ague, is followed by a hot period, with 

 high fever, frequent, hard and full pulse, and great pain of the 

 affected part. The horse " blows," that is, he breathes as he would 

 do after violent exercise. The glands, at the groin, or at the elbow, 

 as may occur in exceptional cases, swell. The swelling extends 

 downwards, as far as the foot; but in farcy it extends upwards. 

 There may be dropsical swellings about the sheath and under the 

 belly. The hot stage is terminated by sweats breaking out over the 

 body. When the swelling subsides, the inflanaed lymphatic vessels 

 of the leg appear clearly defined like enlarged veins ; hence, the 

 term " weed," from their supposed resemblance to a vegetable 

 growth. As the complaint, when it occurs, appears generally after 

 a short period of idleness ; it has in some places received the name 

 of " Monday morning disease." As a rule, lymphangitis takes from 

 one to two days to become developed ; the severity of the symptoms 

 remains unchanged for a like period ; and then it slowly and gradu- 

 ally decreases, although the affected limb will, especially after two 

 or three attacks, rarely recover its original size. 



This disease has a marked tendency to recur. 



After repeated attacks, the limb becomes permanently enlarged 

 — an incurable condition termed " elephantiasis." 



TREATMENT. — ^At the first appearance of the disease, give as a 

 purgative, a subcutaneous injection of eserine and pilocarpine (p. 

 609), or a full dose of aloes, in ball or drench ; and keep the animal 

 on a short supply of food, allowing him only a little laxative diet, 

 such as green grass, roots, and bran mashes. Bathing the part with 

 warm water and applying warm fomentations are indicated by the 

 fact that, as the swelling increases, the pain and lameness diminish. 

 During the iutervals in which the leg is not fomented, keep it 

 smeared over with extract of belladonna, made up with gum or a 

 little glycerine, to render it adhesive. While the cold stage lasts, 

 have the animal warmly clothed. Give, after the first day or two, 



