DISEASES OF HEABT, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 269 



Synbptoms. — The symptoms vary accordiiig to the extent and sever- 

 ity of the inflammation. In most cases the vein is swollen, thick- 

 ened, and indurated to such a degree as to resemble an artery. A 

 diffused swelling, with great tenderness, may extend along the af- 

 fected 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 continues, these are converted into pus, which ruptures the 

 vessel and produces a deep abscess ; or it may be carried away in the 

 circulation and produce metastatic abscess in the lungs or other re- 

 mote 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 oblit- 

 eration of the affected portion of the vein, but as collateral circulation 

 is readily established this is seldom of any material inconvenience. 



Treatment. — 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 potassium may be given in 

 the drinking water, which may be changed in two or three days for 

 1-dram doses of the iodid of potassium. If the animal becomes de- 

 bilitated, carbonate of ammonia, 1 dram, and powdered gentian, 3 

 drams, may be given every six hours. 



VARICOSE VEINS, VAEIX, OR 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 

 occasionally 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 wear suspensory bags when they are exercised. Piles may 

 often be reduced by astringent washes — ^tea made from white-oak 

 bark or a saturated solution of alum. The bowels should be kept 

 loose with braii mashes and the animal kept quiet in the stable. 



