A healthy ass, six years old, was operated on upon the 16th of
November, 1848. The respiration was naturally 14 in the minute, and the
pulse 38. About two ounces of highly offensive pus, obtained from the
frontal sinus of a horse, were injected into the left jugular vein; the
pus had unintentionally been mixed with water previous to its being
injected. The vein became full during the operation, as though the
blood in it were in a semi-coagulated state. The pulse now became 60,
and the respiration 20 in a minute; slight rigors occurred in two hours.
_November 17th._ The animal is tranquil; appetite good; pulse 48, small
and wiry; respiration 16. In the evening he was rather more excited;
the vein was becoming inflamed downwards towards the heart; pulse 60;
respiration 20.
_November 18th._ The vein was more inflamed, and slight suppuration was
visible at the orifice of the wound. Respiration 16; pulse 55. From
this period to the 23rd, the pulse continued from 55 to 60, and the
respiration varied from 12 to 18.
_November 26th._ The swelling in the situation of the vein is rapidly
subsiding; pulse 55; respiration 12.
The animal gradually recovered, and on the 26th of February, 1849, was
made the subject of another experiment. The right jugular vein having
been opened, two fluid ounces of pure healthy pus were injected, and
propelled in the course of the circulation, by pressure upon the vein
externally. The vein became tense during the operation, and sensibly
resisted the attempts that were made to propel its contents towards
the heart. _Even forcible pressure was not sufficient to overcome the
resistance offered to the return of blood._ Soon after the operation,
the animal had a rigor; the breathing became laborious, but not
accelerated; pulse 57.
After the lapse of seven hours, the animal appeared dejected; he
refused to eat or drink; the extremities were cold; breathing 16 in the
minute; pulse 60, small and irregular.
_February 27th._ The vein can be felt thickened as far as the sternum.
The general symptoms are the same as on the previous evening.
_28th._ There appears less constitutional irritation; pulse 60;
respiration 14.
_March 2nd._ Appetite still indifferent; pulse 60; respiration 16.
From this date to the 7th, when the animal was destroyed, the general
symptoms continued much the same, but the induration and swelling
around the jugular vein, from the opening to the sternum, became
greater.
_Post-mortem appearances._ The left jugular vein was found completely
obliterated. The remains of a firm coagulum obstructed its canal for
some distance below the opening which had been made into it, and
terminated, below, in an elongated conical portion, which adhered to
one side only of the vessel. On the right side, an abscess had formed
in the course of the vein; and for two inches, the whole of the parts
were imbedded in a confused mass of pus and lymph, in which it was
impossible to distinguish the structure of the vein. Both above and
below this, for several inches, the vein was filled with coagula,
which effectually obliterated it. These coagula extended for several
inches in the course of the circulation; but beyond them, in both
directions, the vessel was pervious. The lungs presented some slight
spots of congestion, but not of the same characteristic kind observed
in Experiment VI. The other organs were healthy.