Principles 6f veterinary surgErV 75 



the center of the circulation and beneath where the fluid 

 precipitates by gravity. 



The lesions of oedema consist of : (i) increased permea- 

 bility of the capillary walls; (2) separation and saturation 

 of the anatomical elements of the part; (3) slight increase in 

 the size of the cells from absorption of fluid; (4) accumula- 

 tion of fluid in the tissue spaces. 



SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT.— Subcutaneous 

 oedema is easily recognized by its abrupt boundary, its 

 doughy consistency, the absence of pain on palpation, and 

 the absence of proportionate systemic disturbances. When 

 scarified or punctured the fluid will freely drip from the 

 wounds in the form of a clear, yellowish serum. The in- 

 flammatory swelling accompanying a contusion or abscess 

 is firm and painful, while the surrounding oedema exhibits 

 only the above symptoms. 



(Edema on the surface of the body is in itself a very 

 benign afifection that disappears when the cause is removed 

 or after the collateral circulation begins to perform the func- 

 tion of the obturated vein or veins. The traumatic oedemas 

 qtiite readily yield to this reaction, but when the cause per- 

 sists grave results may follow. In the limbs, long-standing 

 oedema is always certain to stimulate the production of new 

 connective tissue that remains thereafter as a permanent 

 tumefaction of the afifected members. In other parts necrosis 

 of no small proportions may supervene from pressure of the 

 infiltrated fluid upon the nutrient vessels of the oedematous 

 tissues. This complication is particularly frequent in oedemas 

 of the sheath and prepuce. 



The abdominal oedema of pregnancy disappears with 

 parturition, and that of the limbs and sheath often yields to 

 exercise. Baths, massage, kneading, friction, support, slight 

 pressure, scarification, puncture, and exercise are so many 



