INFLAMMATION. 177 



considered. Cold dressings, which might seem to be indicated, will not 

 answer in many cases. In subacute inflammation of the joints, for in- 

 stance, cold dressings might bring on rheumatism ; neither do fomenta- 

 tions answer. Dry warm applications over the region of the part affected 

 seem to answer best as a general rule. If treatment in subacute attacks 

 does not bring about restoration of the parts to health, it is probable 

 that the disease after a time will subside into the chronic form. Sub- 

 acute inflammation seldom produces direct constitutional symptoms, 

 though indirectly and after a time it may induce them through the 

 medium of the changes which it causes in the structure of organs. 



362. Treatment of chronic Local inflammation. 



Our object in these cases is to raise the tone and vital powers of the 

 part to greater vigour. As a local application a stimulating liniment or 

 a light blister may be rubbed on. Much attention, however, must be 

 paid to improving and strengthening the general health. Good feeding, 

 good grooming, plenty of fresh air, &c., are especially needed. 



Chronic inflammation is not easily amenable to treatment, far less so 

 than the acute attack. The vital power of the diseased tissue appears to 

 be depressed, and unable to rectify the disordered state of its functions. 

 The inflammation is therefore lingering and abiding. It often continues 

 for a length of time without terminating in any result. If any result 

 does occur, it will probably be ulceration. 



363. Treatment of Diffused inflammation. 



Diffused inflammation may be subacute or chronic, but is usually 

 acute. Inasmuch, however, as it generally produces constitutional dis- 

 turbance, we shall have in regard to treatment mainly to consider the 

 type of the disease, whether it is of a sthenic or of an asthenic type. 

 The signs by which the sthenic may be distinguished from the asthenic 

 form, have been described above in paragraph 350. The one type will 

 need a veiy different course of treatment from the other. 



We shall therefore divide this subject into the treatment of sthenic 

 and asthenic inflammation, premising, however, that our remarks also 

 apply to those cases of local inflammation, which produce constitutional 

 disturbance, as noted above in paragraph 360. 



364. Treatment of Sthenic inflammation. 



In attacks of a sthenic character it is necessary in the first instance to 

 lower the diet, both on account of the primary disease, and of the con- 

 stitutional disturbance resulting from it. There is, however, in general 

 but little appetite. Aconite will be found a most valuable medicine in 

 reducing the hardness and quickness of the pulse. It is believed to act 

 by lowering the action of the heart, and in this way it allays the rapidity 

 and force of the circulation, which is always increased in sthenic attacks. 



Bleeding and purgatives, which in many respects would appear at first 



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