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DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



ing and edema of the limb are seen. Rarely is the infection of the 

 suppurating variety. General symptoms, as fever, rapid pulse, 

 malaise and anorexia, exist. It is to be recognized that lymphangitis 

 and cellulitis may occur in the course of any local infection and 

 of some general ones (glanders), but this disorder is peculiar in 

 that lymphangitis apparently happens idiopathically. 



Treatment. — The most important treatment consists in rest and 

 the application of hot antiseptic solutions to the limb. While hot 

 fomentations are useful, it goes without saying that the constant 

 application of hot antiseptics is more useful. This end may be ac- 

 complished by the employment of woolen cloths soaked in hot lysol 

 or creolin (two per cent, solution), and covered with a rubber 

 cloth, and bandaged, so as to include the whole limb. This appli- 

 cation should be frequently changed at first, to secure the effect of 

 heat. Half an ordinary physic ball and one dram of calomel may be 

 given at the onset, and the diet should be laxative, as of mashes and 

 green fodder. To reduce the fever, tincture of aconite (3i) and 

 sweet spirit of nitre (§ii) may be given every two hours. Venesec- 

 tion may be used in very acute cases in robust animals, abstracting 

 4-6 quarts from the jugular vein. This is, however, rarely advis- 

 able and is not in consonance with the modern idea of the etiology. 

 More often milk and alcohol are of service in weakened subjects. 

 With the subsidence of acute symptoms, measures to reduce the 

 swelling should be resorted to, such as rubbing with equal parts of 

 oil of turpentine and sweet oil, dry bandaging the whole limb from 

 below, and gentle exercise. Internally, potassium iodide, in 2- 

 dram doses, may be given twice daily and a few ounces of Carlsbad 

 salts placed on the food. 



Chronic Lymphangitis may follow the acute form or occur 

 independently. It affects the lower part of the limb and the swell- 

 ing and edema are obstinate and a deposition of fibrous tissues leads 

 to great indurated and sclerotic enlargement after a time (ele- 

 phantiasis). This condition is very rebellious to curative means. 



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