DISEASES OP LTMPH VESSELS 275 



These abscesses along the lymph, vessels show a rosary-like 



arrangement. 



What are the clinical symptoms of lymphangitis ? 



As the result of stasis and thrombosis in the lymph vessel, 

 there is a painful firm swelling along the course of the lymph 

 vessel in which the surrounding tissues participate more or 

 less ; abscess may develop at more or less regular intervals 

 along the course of the vessel. The regional lymph glands, iu 

 which more or less of the irritants become deposited, swell, 

 vhile fever, the result of the entrance of the pyogenous 

 material into the blood current, is also a feature. 



Of course, not all cases of lymphangitis terminate with 

 abscess formation ; a good example of resolution is the diffuse 

 cellulitis and its secondary lymphangitis so commonly seen in 

 the hiadlegs of heavily fed and irregularly worked horses, I 

 took occasion once before to state that the name given this 

 disease in our country — that is, "lymphangitis" — was im- 

 proper. No doubt this disease, the result of the entrance of 

 some irritant into the lymph circulation either aseptic or other- 

 wise, usually terminates favorably — that is, by resolution ; in 

 other words, the irritant causing it is not sufficiently virulent 

 to give rise to, abscess formation, but, on the contrary, the con- 

 tents of the diseased lymph vessel are absorbed and the parts, 

 return to almost their former state of vitality. 

 OuUine the ■treatment of lymphangitis. 



When due to an infected wound, prompt and thorough 

 disinfection of the same is imperative. To prevent lymphan- 

 gitis following surgical operations, which, while unnecessary, 

 isyet frequently seen, antisepsis is essential. Moist antiseptic- 

 applications^ provided they are persistently employed, give 

 good results. As soon as an abscess forms it must be opened 

 and drained and disinfected". 



