Inflammation of the arteries is rare in the acute form. The symptoms are pain and tenderness along the course of the vessel, attended with a thrill or throbbing. Lymph is effused within the vessel, often producing a complete arrest of the circulation, and resulting in gangrene. It is highly probable that in spontaneous senile gangrene the cause is arteritis. Chronic arteritis is more common, but difficult to discover. Deposits occur in the arteries, exciting ulceration, or ossification may occur in old age.

TREATMENT. -- Give a mild purge, a hot bath, and sufficient veratrum to control the circulation. The inflamed part should be fomented, blistered, or stimulating liniments and counter-irritation may be applied. The alteratives are always indicated.