CHAPTER XVIII. 
DISEASES OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 
1. Weed in the Leg (Lymphangitis). 
This disease is ksiown by various other names, such as 
water farcy, big leg or Monday morning fever. It is very 
common now in this country, and is Hable to be more so, on 
account of horses being better fed and cared for than form- 
erly. It generally affects the hind legs, but sometimes affects 
the front legs. 
Causes.- — Lymphangitis is common among hard-worked 
and highly-fed horses, and one of the commonest causes is 
continuing to feed heavily during a period of idleness after 
being worked hard. The direct cause is the result of an over- 
s-upply of nutriment in the blood which unduly stimulates and 
gives rise to inflammation of the lymphatic glands of the legs. 
This inflammation prevents their proper absorption of the 
lymph and to their failure to carry it off is largely due the 
swelling that naturally follows. A similar condition may 
have its source in the prick of a nail or other injury in the 
foot or because of an over-supply of fibrine in the blood. 
Heavy horses having a sluggish circulation are more 
likely to be affected than light horses. 
Fig. 38. — Weed in the Leg (Lymphangitis). 
