INFLAMMATION. 175 



parts, namely, 1st that of the primary disease, or functional disturbance 

 in the tissue ; and 2ndly that of the disease after it has established itself. 



358. Treatment of the primary disease, or disturbance of function in the 

 part affected, otherwise called the inflamed part. 



In the very earliest stages, namely that of irritation in the tissue or 

 organ, the best treatment undoubtedly consists in removal of the cause, 

 if it can be traced and found out. 



When the cause is external, such, for instance, as a hay seed lodging 

 in the eye, it is both easy to see it and remove it. With the removal of 

 the cause, the part affected will in general soon recover itself. In other 

 cases we may see and know the cause, such as a blow, but may not be 

 able to remove it. Knowing, however, the cause, we may take measures 

 to lessen its effects. In other cases, such as inflammation of the bowels, 

 though we cannot be perfectly certain of the cause, yet we may pretty 

 safely assume it to be some obstruction in the intestines, and we may 

 accordingly endeavour to effect its removal by suitable means. 



In most cases, however, we can neither see the cause nor find it out. 

 Hence, as a general rule, we can do little more than assist nature by 

 placing the patient in the condition most favorable for the restoration of 

 a healthy tone in the system and part. 



For this purpose in inflammation of Internal organs recourse should 

 be had in the first instance to natural tonics. Of these the best and 

 chief is cool fresh air in abundance. There is no other restorative at 

 this stage to the tone of the part, to the nervous power, and to the circu- 

 lation equal to this simple and easily obtained agent. With this view 

 the patient should be promptly removed to a cool loose box, and warmly 

 clothed and his legs bandaged. 



As regards feeding, the appetite is the best criterion. In attacks on 

 some internal organs, such as lungs, the appetite is generally lost from 

 the first, but in inflammation of some other organs the patient may be 

 inclined to feed. Corn, however, should be withheld, and food of an 

 easily digested character, such as grass, carrots, or bran mashes, should 

 be substituted for it. When the powers of digestion are enfeebled, as 

 they always are either directly or by sympathy in serious internal 

 attacks, food, if difficult of digestion, will not be assimilated, but will 

 act as a foreign body, and cause further disturbance and increase of the 

 symptoms. Still, so far or as long as the animal is inclined to feed, a 

 fairly liberal diet may be allowed, and indeed is essential to the main- 

 tenance or restoration of the tone of the system. Laxative diet is most 

 suitable, and will also be useful in keeping open the bowels, which in all 

 such attacks, probably from want of nervous power, are apt to be con- 

 stipated. 



If by these simple means tone can be restored, and the blood at the 

 inflamed part can again be set in more active motion, the attack may be 

 said to be over ; and the temporary congestion of the blood or hyper- 

 semia in the neighbouring part will soon pass away. 



