TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION. 225 



relief, effusion is perhaps too frequently encouraged 

 by the local application of warmth and moisture. 

 Now, when it is remembered that every atom of the 

 effused matter must be absorbed before a perfect 

 cure can be effected, it is, I think, almost a self- 

 evident proposition that, in general, the effusion 

 should be limited to the smallest possible amount ; 

 and, where practicable, should be altogether pre- 

 vented. Were it not for the difficulties which we 

 encounter in attempting to accomplish the removal 

 of the local effects of inflammation, our treatment of 

 it would always be certain and rapidly successful : 

 for we could in every instance soon relieve the in- 

 tensity of the blood's pressure in the affected vessels. 

 But the absorption of any considerable quantity 

 of extravasated liquor sanguinis is invariably a work 

 of time ; and where the fibrinous portion has become 

 firmly coagulated or at all organised, our most potent 

 remedies, in the hands of the most skilful practitioner, 

 will often fail to relieve the adjacent structures of 

 the substances thus forced amongst them. There is, 

 therefore, every inducement to prevent as far as pos- 

 sible the occurrence of any sanguineous or fibrinous 

 infiltration of the tissues of the affected part. 



Effusion is, however, sometimes very useful as a 

 derivative agent, where it can with propriety be 

 obtained from vessels situated at a little distance 

 from, but communicating freely with, those which 

 are the seat of the inflammatory disorder. And a 

 good instance of its beneficial operation under these 

 circumstances is presented in the success attending 

 the early cdministration of purgatives in peritonitis. 



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