This fact, or eccentricity in the constitutions of isolated horses, ought to be generally known. Men have recovered heavy damages in courts of law, and blameless veterinary surgeons have been ruined, by circumstances over which the utmost stretch of human precaution could possibly exercise no control. However, a more extended knowledge concerning the real origin of this disorder may do some good, since it will guard juries from delivering wrongful verdicts, and may tend to check that love of venous depletion which is still too prevalent with ignorant horse owners.
There was formerly a great diversity of opinion concerning a supposed eccentricity in the facts observed during this disease. If a horse was bled in the neck, and subsequently exhibited phlebitis, the brain became affected. If an animal was depleted from the fore leg, and displayed the disease, the heart became involved. In one case, the disorder proceeded from the center of circulation; and in the other, it mounted directly toward the organ. A great many hypotheses were published to explain or to account for this imaginary peculiarity. Much nonsense was spoken, and more was written, to point out the real cause of an imaginary difference. Yet, calmly viewed, the seeming diversity appears to agree with the commonest law of nature. Phlebitis always closes the vessel at the seat of injury. The disease, therefore, in each case, is prevented from descending, and consequently ascends above the orifice—the only peculiarity being the relative situations of the structures involved.
This affection is most common after blood has been taken from the neck. That seeming preference for a particular part may, however, be nothing more than a circumstance dependent upon the greater number of animals which have their jugulars opened. Were the brachial or the saphena veins punctured as frequently as the vessel which carries the blood from the brain, the apparent difference might appear in the opposite direction. However, from whichever vessel the depletion is effected, always tie the quadruped's head up, and present no food. A stall is to be preferred to a loose box, as the confined space is more likely to prevent action. Motion is the source of all danger. This fact was aptly illustrated by an anecdote which used to be related by the late Mr. Liston, the eminent surgeon. In his lecture, that gentleman surprised his class by stating that the last person whom he bled perished of phlebitis. Bleeding is the most simple operation in human surgery. Most surgeons leave this office to the apothecary; consequently it was rather a condescension in one who deservedly ranked so high in his profession to stoop to such an act. What, therefore, could possibly cause disease to follow the operation, when performed by him who was accustomed to surgery upon its grandest scale?
The cause was soon explained. The person operated upon chanced to be a lunatic. This insane individual embraced the notion that the healing process was much favored by constant motion; consequently he kept on flexing and extending his arm with all the violence which is natural to the demented. In vain was every effort made to persuade him from so mad an action. He clung with extraordinary pertinacity to his unwholesome theory. On the following day, Mr. Liston was surprised to find his patient in bed, but still moving the arm in which disease had already declared itself. Measures were taken to keep the limb quiet, but it was found impossible to accomplish this in a satisfactory manner; and when Mr. Liston again called, the patient was no more!
A vein being about to inflame, the earliest intimation of the fact is given by the separation of the lips of the wound, while through the opening drains a small quantity of a thin discharge. Should this warning excite no attention, a round and hard swelling appears. That may be like a hazel-nut in size, or it may resemble half a chestnut in magnitude; and this is soon followed by a swollen state of the vein superior to the orifice.
A HORSE WITH PHLEBITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE VEIN,
IN THE SECOND STAGE.
Then supervenes the second stage of the disorder. Unhealthy abscesses are formed along the course of the vein. As these mature, they burst, and send forth an unsightly and filthy liquid resembling thin, contaminated pus. On examination, these tumors are found to be united. They penetrate to the interior of the vessel, and are joined together by numerous sinuses. They literally constitute so many holes in the neck.
THE THIRD STAGE OF PHLEBITIS.