AND HIS DISEASES. 123 



bitis'is not uncommon. It consists of inflammation of the 

 coats of the vein, involving the surrounding cellular tissues also. 



Causes. — When it occurs it almost invariably follows the 

 operation of bleeding, arising from some mismanagement in 

 performing it, or securing the integuments after. Eusty 

 fleams — carelessness in pinning\ it up, as in pulling the skin 

 out, allowing blood to filtrate the cellular tissues — bringing 

 the edges unevenly together— or we have known the vein 

 itself to be pinned to the skin. Certain states of constitu- 

 tional predisposition of the veins to take on inflammatory 

 action are said to exist. 



Syfnptoms. — It is easily distinguished by the inverted 

 edges of the wound, which are red and swollen, and dis- 

 charge thin serum, which soon gives place to pus. The vein 

 above the incision is hard, hot, and tender, and considerably 

 enlarged. The swelling extends upward to the head ; the 

 inflammation extends to the surrounding tissues ; the side 

 of the neck is swollen ; the neck stifi" and the head extended. 

 The symptomatic fever runs high. 



Treatment. — The head should be tied up, and almost 

 constant fomentations of hot water applied for several days. 

 The lips of the wound should be touched with the cautery or 

 lunar caustic. A full dose of purgative medicine should be 

 given. When the acute fever has subsided, it should be 

 blistered throughout its entire extent, and repeated if re- 

 quired, the head being kept elevated, and his feed placed 

 within reach. 



These cases often terminate in complete obliteration of the 

 vein ; but in course of time the smaller vessels of the neck 

 enlarge, and take the place of the lost jugular. He is not 

 suited to be turned to. pasture, as the head is apt to swell. 

 "He can never after be passed as a sound horse. 



