INFLAMMATION, 491 



Cold. — The application of ice bags or cold water by bandages, 

 douching with a hose, or irrigation with dripping water, contracts 

 the blood vessels, acts as a sedative to the nerves, and lessens the 

 vitality of a part; it consequently prevents the tissue change which 

 inflammation j^roduce. 



Heat. — Either dry or moist heat acts as a derivative. It quickens 

 the circulation and renders the chemical changes more active in the 

 surrounding parts; it softens the tissues and attracts the current of 

 blood from the inflamed organ ; it also promotes the absorption of the 

 effusion and hastens the elimination of the waste products in the part. 

 Heat may be applied by hand rubbing or active friction and the ap- 

 2:)lication of warm coverings (bandages) or by cloths wrung out of 

 warm water; or steaming with warm moist vapor, medicated or not; 

 will answer the same purpose. The latter is especially applicable to 

 inflammatory troubles in the air passages. 



Local hleeding. — This treatment frequently affords immediate relief 

 by carrying off the excessive blood and draining the effusion which 

 has already occurred. It affords direct mechanical relief, and, by a 

 stimulation of the part, promotes the chemical changes necessary 

 for bringing the diseased tissues to a healthy condition. Local blood- 

 letting can be done by scarifying, or making small punctures into the 

 inflamed part, as in the eyelid of an inflamed eye, or into the sheath 

 of the penis, or into the skin of the latter organ when congested, or 

 the leg when acutely swelled. 



G ounterirvHants are used for deep inflammations. They act by 

 bringing the blood to the surface and consequently lessening the 

 blood pressure within. The derivation of the blood to the exterior 

 diminishes the amount in the internal organs and is often very rapid 

 in its action in relieving a congested lung or liver. The most com- 

 mon counterirritant is mustard flour. It is applied as a soft paste 

 mixed with warm water to the under surface of the belly and to the 

 sides where the skin is comparatively soft and vascular. Colds in the 

 throat or inflammations at any point demand the treatment applied in 

 the same manner to the belly and sides and not to the throat or on the 

 legs, as so often used. Blisters, iodine, and many other irritants are 

 used in a similar way. 



Constitutional treatment in inflammation is designed to reduce the 

 current of blood, which is the fuel for the inflammation in the dis- 

 eased part, to quiet the patient, and to combat the fever or general 

 effects of the trouble in the system, and to favor the neutralization or 

 elimination of the products of the inflammation. It consists of — 



Reduction of hlood. — This is obtained in various ways. The dimi- 

 nution of the quantity of the blood lessens the amount of j^ressure on 

 the vessels, and, as a sequel, the volume of it which is carried to the 

 point of inflammation ; it diminishes the body temperature or fever ; 



