LYMPHANGITIS 121 



posed to lymphangitis to a lesser extent than heavily fed 

 horses that are also heavily vforked. An abrupt cessation 

 of activity in the latter, occasional holidays, may at any 

 time precipitate an attack of lymphangitis. 



Symptoms. Lymphangitis in most cases makes its 

 appearance without particular premonitory signs. In 

 some cases there may be a rigor which ushers in the 

 attack. Most frequently, however, the disease makes its 

 appearance with speed minus stormy symptoms. Follow^ 

 ing upon a day or two of rest the horse is found some 

 morning to have a considerable enlargement of one limb. 

 The swelling extends from the groin to the hoof, is pain- 

 ful and hot, and has a line of demarcation near the body. 

 The animal refuses its feed and has a body temperature 

 of from 103° F. to 106° F. There is usually some con- 

 stipation. 



The swelling is quite evenly firm, except near the line 

 of demarcation, where it is more "doughy"; in the inter- 

 nal aspect of the thigh this "doughy" consistency of the 

 swelling is most marked. The swelling above the hoof 

 may be of such proportions that the coronary region 

 appears to extend anteriorly over the hoof for several 

 inches. 



As a result of infection with pyogenic bacteria, abscess 

 formation may occur at various points on the affected 

 limb. Mild cases of lymphangitis recover spontaneously. 

 In many cases, however, some enlargement remains in the 

 limb permanently. Well marked cases require careful 

 and judicious treatment. Recurrent attacks of lympan- 

 gitis are not rare. One patient in our practice has had 

 about six attacks within two or three years. Repeated 

 attacks of lymphangitis may ultimately leave the affected 

 limb permanently enlarged. 



Treatment. The treatment of lymphangitis, in the 

 idiopathic form, should include: 



