242 



Cfltwsfis.— Phlebitis may be induced by contusions or direct injuries, 

 an extension of inflammation from surrounding tissue, as in abscess, 

 formation of tumor, or malignant growth. It is often due to embolism of 

 infective material, gangrenous matter, etc. Blood-letting from the 

 jugular vein is occasionally followed by dangerous phlebitis. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms vary according to the extent and severity 

 of the inflammation. In most cases the vein is swollen, thickened, and 

 indurated to such a degree as to resemble an artery. A diffused 

 swelling, with great tenderness, may extend along the affected vessel 

 and the animal manifest all the symptoms connected with acute fever 

 and general functional disturbance. 



Pathology. — The disease is only serious when large veins are affected. 

 The coats undergo the same changes as in arteritis, clots of blood and 

 lymph plug the inflamed vessel, and if the inflammatory process con- 

 tinues these are converted into pus, which ruptures the vessel and pro- 

 duces a deep abscess ; or it may be carried away in the circulation and 

 produce metastatic abcess in the lungs or other remote organs. In 

 mild cases the clots may become absorbed and the vessel restored to 

 health. Phlebitis in the course of the veins of the limbs frequently leads 

 to numerous abscesses, which may be mistaken for farcy ulcerations. 

 A very common result of phlebitis is an obliteration of the affected por- 

 tion of the vein, but as collateral circulation is readily established this 

 is seldom of any material inconvenience. 



Trefl^men./.— Phlebitis should be treated by the application of a smart 

 blister along the course of the inflamed vessel ; early opening of any 

 abscesses which may form ; the animal should have complete rest, and 

 the bowels be kept loose with bran mashes. When the fever runs high, 

 half-ounce doses of nitrate of potassa may be given in the drinking 

 water, which may be changed in two or three days for dram doses of 

 the iodide of potassa. If the animal becomes debilitated, carbonate of 

 ammonia, 1 dram, and powdered gentian, 3 drams, may be given every 

 six hours. 



VARICOSE VEINS — VARIX — DILATATION OF VEINS. 



This may be a result of weakening of the coats from inflammatory 

 disease and degeneration. It may also be due to mechanical obstruc- 

 tion from internal or external sources. It is sometimes found in the 

 vein which lies superficial over the inside of the hock joint, and may 

 be due to the pressure of a spavin. Occasionally it may be observed 

 in stallions, which are more or less subject to varicocele or dilatation of 

 the veins of the testicular cord. Hemorrhoidal veins or piles are occa- 

 sionally met with, generally in horses which run at pasture. Varicose 

 veins may ulcerate and form an abscess in the surrounding tissues, or 

 they may rupture from internal blood pressure and the blood form 

 large tumors where the tissues are soft. 



Treatment. — Stallions which manifest a tendency to varicocele should 



