DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 273 



Causes. — Horses of lymphatic or sluggish temperament are predis- 

 posed to this affection. It usually attacks well-fed animals, and in 

 such cases may be due to an excess of nutritive elements in the blood. 

 Sudden changes in work or in the habits of the animal may induce an 

 attack. 



Symptoms. — It is usually ushered in by a chill, rise in temperature, 

 and some uneasiness ; in a very short time this is followed by lame- 

 ness in one leg and swelling on the inside of the thigh. The swelling 

 gradually surrounds the whole limb and continues on downward until 

 it reaches the foot. The limb is excessively tender to the touch, the ani- 

 mal perspires, the breathing is accelerated, pulse hard and quick, and 

 the temperature may reach 106° F The bowels early become very con- 

 stipated and urine scanty. The symptoms usually are on the increase 

 for about two days, then they remain stationary for the same length 

 of time ; the fever then abates ; the swelling recedes and becomes less 

 painful. It is very seldom, though, that all the swelling leaves the 

 leg ; generally it leaves some permanent enlargement, and the animal 

 becomes subject to recurrent attacks. Occasionally the inguinal lymph- 

 atic glands (in the groin) undergo suppuration, and pyemia may 

 supervene and prove fatal. In severe cases the limb becomes de- 

 nuded of hair in patches, and the skin remains indurated with a 

 fibrous growth, which is known by the name of elephantiasis. 



Treatment. — The parts should be bathed freely and frequently with 

 Water as hot as the hand can bear and then fomented with vinegar 

 and water, equal parts, to which add 2 ounces of nitrate of potassium 

 for each gallon. This should be applied frequently, after the hot 

 water, for the first day. Afterwards the leg may be dried with a 

 woolen cloth and bathed with camphorated soap liniment. Internally 

 administer artificial Carlsbad salts in 2 to 4 ounce doses three times 

 daily. Feed lightly and give complete' rest. This treatment, if insti- 

 tuted early in the attack, very frequently brings about a remarkable 

 change within 24 hours. 



36444°— 16 18 



