129 
(EDEMA SUCCEEDING UPON STRANGLES. 
By J. Tombs, M.R.C.V.S., Stratford-on-Avon. 
August 14th, 1859.—A brown horse, four years old, be¬ 
longing to a gentleman, and which had been the subject of 
strangles, but was so far recovered as to be put to work, 
came under my care. When I saw him the pulse was 80; 
the respiration quick ; the tunica conjunctiva reddened, and 
the Schneiderian membrane of a purple colour. The face 
and head were much swollen, particularly the lips. The 
absorbent glands about the thighs and belly were likewise 
enlarged, as were also the submaxillary glands. He had no 
appetite, and was disposed to keep in a recumbent position. 
15th.—The pulse now numbers 100. The mucous 
membranes are even darker in colour than yesterday. The 
breathing at times is tranquil, but at others distressingly 
laborious, showing that congestion of the lungs is present. 
When down he does not roll about as if in pain. 
I gave large quantities of brandy (even to the extent of 
half a pint at a time). Other stimulants were also admin¬ 
istered, and in consequence of the pulmonary congestion, 
counter-irritants were used to the chest. 
16 th.—He is worse to-day. The breathing is very laboured 
and painful. The pulse 120. He refuses all food, and walks 
round the box until he falls from prostration. The swellings 
of the head and glands have, however, disappeared to a great 
extent, but the mucous membranes are black and putrid. He 
died at night. 
Post-mortem .—The lining membrane of the nasal cavities 
is black and gangrenous. Lungs congested, and the air- 
passages extensively diseased. The subcutaneous cellular 
tissue, and also that between many of the muscles, is glutted 
with black blood. Effusion of serum exists about the ex¬ 
tremities. The whole of the intestines have patches of 
effusion between their coats. Their villous coat is thickened, 
and black in colour. The omentum in places is likewise 
gorged with black blood. This case appears to me to be one of 
general oedema, depending on a contaminated condition of 
the blood. It is possible that it may in part depend on 
the horse having been put to work too early after his attack of 
strangles. 
