EXTERNAL INFLAMMATION. 63 



the bowels, the pressure is necessarily removed from tlie 

 inflamed vessels. As it is a law of the animal economy 

 that where the circulation is directed to one set of vessels 

 it proportionally diminishes the flow in other parts of the 

 system, purging, by producing laugour and sickness, lessens 

 the general excitement, and hence the pressure upon the 

 circulation is circumscribed. 



In administering medicine in cases of internal inflamma- 

 tion much caution and consideration are required, because 

 what might be beneficial in some cases may be prejudicial 

 in others. Purgatives in inflammation of the lungs and 

 bowels ought never to be administered until the inflamma- 

 tory symptoms have been removed, as there is such a sirong 

 degree of sympathy between the various organs enveloped 

 in the cavity of the chest, that they are apt to be influenced 

 by that which affects any of them, more especially if the 

 inflammation is violent. 



EXTERNAL INFLAMMATION. 



Great diflerence of opinion prevails on the means of 

 treating external inflammation. Cold embrocations and 

 lotions were considered as the most proper remedies to be 

 employed in this disease, being more likely to allay the heat 

 of the part ; and there can be little doubt but they will 

 speedily lessen the heat from the well-known principle, 

 that caloric has a strong tendency to equalize itself, or to 

 quit any substance which is surcharged with it ; conse- 

 quently, by these appliances the increased temperature is 

 diminished in the part which is inflamed. The effect will 

 be considerably heightened by dissolving two ounces of 

 nitre in a quart of water, and applying it immediately after 

 the nitre is fairly dissolved, the inflamed portion being com- 

 pletely exposed to the process of evaporation. Nitre will 



