. . . its way along the vein in the usual course of the blood. We therefore conclude, that it was the coagulation of the blood in the large veins which caused the congestion of the capillaries, those veins remaining unaffected which could discharge their contents by some collateral channel.

In cases of phlegmasia dolens after child-birth, the same principle can sometimes be traced; thus, in a dissection performed by Mr. Lawrence,[15] the external and common iliac veins were filled with a substance like the laminated coagulum of an aneurism. "The tube was completely obstructed by this matter, adhering as firmly as the coagulum does in any part of an old aneurismal sac. In its centre was a cavity containing about a teaspoonful of thick fluid of the consistence of pus, of a light brownish red tint, and pultaceous appearance." The femoral vein was in this case also filled with a coagulum; but, as is observed in the account of the dissection, the red colour of that vein mi. . . Read More