DISEASES OP HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 271 



chest or abdomen; occasionally the brain becomes affected. A few 

 cases run a mild course and recovery may commence in three or 

 four days ; generally, however, the outlook is unfavorable. In severe 

 cases septic poisoning is liable to occur, which soon brings the case 

 to a fatal issue. 



Pathology. — On section we find the capillaries dilated, the connec- 

 tive tissue filled with a coagulable or coagulated lymph, and fre- 

 quently we may discover gangrenous spots beneath the skin or involv- 

 ing the skin. The lymphatic glands are swollen and inflamed. Ex- 

 tensive extravasations of blood may be found embedded between the 

 coats of the intestines, or excessive effusion into the substance of 

 the lungs. 



Treatment. — Diffusible stimulants and tonics should be given from 

 the start. Carbonate of ammonia, 1 dram, fluid extract of red cin- 

 chona bark, 2 drams, and tincture of ginger half an ounce, with hali 

 a pint of water ; thin gruel or milk should be given every four or six 

 hours. But especial care should be exercised to avoid injury by 

 drenching. If the horse has difficulty in getting the head up and 

 swallowing, smaller doses must be given with a small hard-rubber 

 syringe. Sulphate of iron in 1-dram doses may be dissolved in water 

 and given every six hours. Chlorate of potassium, in 2-ounce doses, 

 may be given every eight or twelve hours. Colloidal silver may be 

 administered intravenously in doses of from 5 to 12 grains. Wash- 

 ings with lead and alum water are useful and may be repeated several 

 times each day. If the swellings are very great, they may be incised 

 freely and the resulting wounds should be washed at least twice daily 

 with a warm 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid or other good anti- 

 septic. Tracheotomy may be necessary. Complications, when they 

 arise, must be treated with proper circumspection. 



DISEASES OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



The lymphatic, or absorbent, system is connected with the blood- 

 vascular system, and consists of a series of tubes which absorb and 

 convey to the blood certain fluids. These tubes lead to lymphatic 

 glands, through which the fluids pass to reach the right lymphatic 

 vein and thoracic duct, both of which enter the venous system near 

 the heart. Through the excessively thin walls of the capillaries the 

 fluid part of the blood transudes to nourish the tissues outside the 

 capillaries; at the same time fluid passes from the tissues into the 

 blood. The fluid, after it passes into the tissues, constitutes the 

 lymph, and acts like a stream irrigating the tissue elements. Much of 

 the surplus of this lymph passes into the lymph vessels, which in their 

 commencement can hardly be treated as independent structures, sinc^ 

 their walls are so closely joined with the tissues through which they 



