Chapter XII. 



3ST03ST - aOlSTT^Q-IOTTS 3DIBEJLSBS 



OF THE BLOOID. 



Plethora — Anemia — Purpura Hemorrhagica — Rheumatism — Uremia — 

 hematuria, or red-water — septicemia and pyemia. 



PLETHORA. 



THIS is a state of the blood in which its essential elements are 

 present in. excess. The term "fullness," sometimes used in 

 this connection, must be understood to apply only to quality, 

 for there can hardly be an excessive quantity. 



It is a condition common to vigorous young animals, and to 

 older ones fed upon too rich a diet. When digestion and assimila- 

 tion are unusually active, the blood is supplied with, more material 

 than it requires, or than the system can appropriate ; the excess not 

 being removed, degenerates and poisons the blood. The symptoms 

 are rapid improvement of condition ; there is a full, bounding pulse, 

 a redness of the mucous membranes, and a tendency to lay on fat, 

 unusual cheerfulness, and even high spirits. Such a state of the 

 body does not constitute disease, but it predisposes to apoplectic 

 and acute inflammatory affections. In a little time signs of fever 

 appear, and recur without attracting much attention, at first. At 

 length a high fever ensues, congestion and inflammation follow, and 

 the animal dies sudderily, or is seen to be suffering acutely from 

 some alarming disease. , 



Treatment. — As- the disease is caused by too rich food, the first 

 Step in its treatment is to remove the cause. Restrict the diet, and 

 change its character. Give three or four ounces of Epsom or 

 Glauber's salts every six hours, until one or two pounds have been 

 given. A larger dose may be given if the symptoms are severe. 

 Bleeding aggravates the cause of plethora, and it is better to depend 

 upon a restricted diet and purgatives. 



&311EBKUL. 



In this condition there is a marked poverty of the blood. 

 There is a great deficiency of the red corpuscles and other solid 

 constituents of the blood, which is thin and watery in appearance, 

 n (741) 



