LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 107 
two systems in similar conditions, but the results of widely different 
causes, the question arises, how shall we treat each to bring them both 
into better condition? Why, the one animal will require a gradual 
increase in the quantity and quality of his diet, while the other 
needs a decrease in the amount of work. But instead of carrying 
out such rational measures, what do we find to be the case ? The 
ignorant, or, perhaps, new owner, carter, or attendant, upon receiving 
the animal into the stable, or during an inactive state of business — 
the horse having no duties to perform — immediately seizes upon the 
opportunity, thinking it a capital one for improving the animal’s 
condition, of commencing a cramming process which is unnecessary 
to mention here ; suffice it to say, the poor horse’s diet is very 
liberal, both as regards quality and quantity, and this, with groom- 
ing him, is all that is dreamt of, exercise never once entering the 
attendant’s mind. Perhaps the owner keeps a pig, and as that fattens 
by eating and resting, he very likely regards his equine companion as 
closely associsted with the “ sus” in the stye, and consequently 
inundates with food the manger of the occupier of the stable, for- 
getting, or what is perhaps more likely, being ignorant of the totally 
different conditions of the two animals. To feed a horse in such 
low condition upon highly stimulating food is like “ putting new 
wine into old bottles.” How is it possible for a system which has 
been accustomed to receive a certain amount of nutrition for its 
support, to appropriate an amount of nutritive material which far 
exceeds the demands of the system in its then present condition ? It 
is impossible ; the system can only appropriate such an amount of 
nutrition as its exigencies may require. This increased quantity of 
the blood is designated plethora, and as the system cannot apply 
the w'hole of its nutrient material to beneficial purposes, nature 
takes upon herself the onus of ridding it of the superfluity, and in 
the performance of this act selects some portion of the body, in this 
disease the limb, and there commences her relief of the system by 
inflammation and subsequent effusions through the walls of the 
vessels of the serous parts of the blood. Now, I am of opinion that 
this transuded material is the active agent in producing the inflamed 
condition of the absorbent vessels ; how, is the query ? Is it the 
quantity or the peculiar character of the exudation ? It may be 
both, but I think the latter. What it is in the effused material that 
acts as an irritant to the lining membrane of the lymphatics is 
beyond my reach. The enlargement of the lymphatic glands is the 
result of participation in the inflamed state of the lining membrane 
of the absorbent vessels, partly from sympathy and partly from 
continuity of structure. 
Where the exciting cause is present, ill-drained and badly-venti- 
lated stables accelerate an attack, on exposure to sudden changes in 
the temperature of tho atmosphere when in an overheated condi- 
tion. 
Treatment . — After having satisfactorily diagnosed the ailment 
under which our patient labours, it is for us then to institute such 
remedial measures as are best calculated to alleviate the sufferings 
