ology._--When a coagulum is observed in the heart it may become a
question whether it was formed during life or after death. The loose,
dark coagula so often found after death are polypi. If the deposition
has taken place during the last moments of life, the fibrin will be
isolated and soft, but not adherent to the walls; if it be isolated,
dense, and adherent or closely intertwined with the muscles of the
papillae and tendinous cords, the deposition has occurred more or less
remote from the act of dying. Occasionally the fibrin may be seen lining
one of the cavities of the heart, like a false endocardium, or else
forming an additional coat to the aorta or other large vessels without
producing much obstruction. Thrombi, in some instances, soften in their
centers, and are then observed to contain a puslike substance. If this
softening has extended considerably, an outer shell, or cyst, only may
remain. The sources of danger exist not only in the interruption of the
circulation of the blood, but also in a morbid state of the system,
produced by the disturbed nutrition of a limb or organ, as well as the
mingling of purulent and gangrenous elements with the blood.

_Treatment._--The urgent symptoms should be relieved by rest,
stimulants, and the use of agents which will act as solvents to the
fibrinous clots. Alkalis are specially useful for this purpose.
Carbonate of ammonia may be administered in all cases of thrombus, and
should be continued for a long time in small doses several times a day.
In cases of great debility associated with a low grade of fever,
stimulants and tonics, and nitro-muriatic acid as an antiseptic, may be
beneficial.

DISEASES OF VEINS, OR PHLEBITIS.

Inflammation of veins may be simple or diffuse. In simple phlebitis the
disease of the vein is confined to a circumscribed or limited portion of
a vein; in diffuse it involves the vein for a long distance; it may even
extend from a limb or foot to the heart.

_Causes._--Phlebitis may be induced by contusions or direct injuries, an
extension of inflammation from surrounding tissue, such as in abscess,
formation of tumor, or malignant growth. It is often due to embolism of
infective material, gangrenous matter, etc. Blood-letting from the
jugular vein is occasionally followed by dangerous phlebitis.

_Symptoms._--The symptoms vary according to the extent and severity of
the inflammation. In most cases the vein is swollen, thickened, and
indurated