LYMPHANGITIS (ELEPHANT LEG) 223 



it may be distinguished from the farcy form of glanders by its 

 more acute fever and more acute local trouble in the leg; by 

 its early inflammation of lymph glands in the groin, its absence 

 of farcy buds, and failure to react to mallein test. 



Prevention. — The grain ration should be very greatly reduced 

 during idle periods. This is true for any horse in fairly good 

 flesh, and particularly true of horses of the type that has been 

 mentioned as especially subject to lymphangitis. 



Treatment. — Prompt and vigorous treatment seems to abort 

 the disease in a fair proportion of cases. Hot fomentations over 

 the swollen part, continued for several hours, are one of the most 

 important parts of the treatment. Between the periods of fo- 

 mentation there should be given a vigorous friction — rubbing 

 upward — and long-continued light exercise. If the horse is 

 able to walk, he should be kept moving about slowly for several 

 hours at a time. During the first 3 or 4 days, and until the 

 active symptoms abate and the horse is again receiving normal 

 exercise, the food should be light and laxative. Later full feed 

 may be resumed. 



For acute cases with high fever, four or five quarts of blood 

 may be drawn from the jugular vein. A moderate physic should 

 be given: e.g., 4 to 8 drams of aloes in a physic ball; or, % 

 pound Epsom salts dissolved in a pint or more of water, 3 times 

 a day may be substituted for the aloes. One-ounce doses of 

 acetate of potash, dissolved in two pints of water and used as a 

 drench, or given in the drinking water — if the horse will take 

 it so — should be given three times daily for a day or two. 



Prognosis. — Lymphangitis usually ends in recovery so far 

 as the general disturbances are concerned. Something may be 

 estimated concerning the probable severity and duration of ill- 

 ness by noting the severity of the chill which comes at the begin- 

 ning of the attack. 



