508 OPERATIONS ON THE CIECULATOEY SYSTEM. 



and painful, assumes aspects of a phlegmonous nature, and per- 

 haps becomes complicated with hemorrhages. It is not yet too 

 late to look for resolution, but if it does not soon take place, and 

 if the symptoms increase, and the swelling extends, the vein is 

 changed into a hard, large cord, and a case of phlebitis is estab- 

 lished. 



Absorption and resolution are now the two most favorable ter- 

 minations of thrombus, but they are of unusual occurrence, except 

 when the tumor is of small size, and promptly attended to. 



Suppuration is the more common event, and if this continues 

 to be superficial, recovery may be looked for without obliteration 

 of the vein. 



Phlebitis, which commonly accompanies a deep suppurative 

 thrombus, is always a serious termination. Abscess of the throm- 

 bus, however, may assume various modifications, and may pass to 

 a chronic condition, or that of induration, or one of still more 

 serious nature, that of gangrene. 



When it has become developed, the animal must be immedi- 

 ately secured to prevent him from rubbing the parts, and as early 

 as possible the treatment should be directed to the limitation of 

 its development and the promotion of its absorption. Local ap- 

 plications of cold water ; astriagent compresses, moistened with 

 vinegar or lead solutions ; poultices of clay, of soot, or of chalk, 

 mixed with vinegar, will very often be sufficient to control or re- 

 move the growth. Sometimes, however, the absorption will be 

 more effectually stimulated by frictions with cantharidis oint- 

 ment, and in a week or ten days the thrombus will have entirely 

 disappeared. The Girard ointment, of Venice turpentine and 

 bichloride of mercury, is sometimes also very effective. 



If the tumor assumes the nature of an abcess, and this re- 

 mains superficial, it may be opened with the bistoury, or the actual 

 cautery, and should hemorrhages occur they must be principally 

 controlled by pressure. 



4th — Phlebitis. 



The first effect of the inflammation of veins is the coagulation 

 of the blood and the formation of a clot in a given length of the 

 vascular canal, adherent more or less to the walls of the vessel, the 

 result being the partial or perhaps complete obliteration of the 

 vein, and hence a certain disarrangement of the circulation, which 



