246 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



stimulants, and the use of agents which will act as solvents to the 

 fibrinous clots. Alkalis are specially useful for this purpose. Car- 

 bonate of ammonia may be administered in all cases of thrombus, 

 and should be continued for a long time in small doses several times a 

 day. In cases of great debility associated with a low grade of fever, 

 stimulants and tonics, and nitro-muriatic acid as an antiseptic, may 

 be beneficial. 



DISEASES OF VEINS, OR PHLEBITIS. 



Inflammation of veins may be simple or diffuse. In simple phleb- 

 itis the disease of the vein is confined to a circumscribed or limited 

 portion of a vein ; in diffuse it involves the vein for a long distance ; 

 it may even extend from a limb or foot to the heart. 



Causes. — Phlebitis may be induced by contusions or direct injuries, 

 an extension of inflammation from surrounding tissue, such as in 

 abscess, formation of tumor, or malignant growth. It is often due 

 to embolism of infective material, gangrenous matter, etc. Blood- 

 letting from the jugular vein is occasionally followed by dangerous 

 phlebitis. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms vary according 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 

 witl^^ acute fever and general functional disturbance. 



Pathology.— T\i& 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 remote 

 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 oblitera- 

 tion 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 potassa may be given in the 

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

 1-dram doses of the iodide of potassa. If the animal becomes de- 

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

 drams, may be given every six hours. 



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