ARTIFICIAL INFLAMMATION. 181 



cure of all wounds (except those healed by direct union or adhesion), for 

 the repair of fractures, and for the building up of new material to supply 

 accidental loss of tissue. 



The process by which inflammation acts in these cases is as follows : 

 More blood is brought to the part, congestion ensues, and then exudation 

 takes place through the distended coats of the vessels. Lymph is formed 

 from the fibrinous material so exuded from the blood. Lymph, as pre- 

 viously stated, has a remarkable tendency to become organised. It 

 generally partakes, when organised, of the nature of the structure into 

 which it is exuded. Thus if a cavity in the flesh has to be filled up, the 

 lymph when organised will fill it up with a new growth of similar struc- 

 ture, or if the broken ends of a bone have to be united the lymph will 

 knit them together and in due time become bone. 



Simple as this process may seem, there are many considerations con- 

 nected with it, which will be treated of in the next Chapter. 



CHAPTER 19. 



OF INFLAMMATION, ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED, AS A CURATIVE 



AGENT. 



372. Of inflammation artificially induced as supplemental to reparative 

 action. 373. Of inflammation as a stimulant to parts deficient in vital 

 energy. 374. External stimulation for the relief of inflammation in internal 

 organs. 375. Counter-irritation. 376. Artificial inflammation as an ex- 

 citant to the absorbent system. 377. Of irritants used to produce Hyperaemia 

 or Inflammation. 378. Action of External Stimulants. 379. Friction and 

 heat. 380. Liniment of Ammonia or Turpentine. 381. Tincture of Iodine. 

 381&. Iodide of Potassium. 382. Cantharides in reduced strength. 383. 

 Mustard. 383a. Ammonia. 384. Biniodide of Mercury (reduced strength). 

 384a. Perchloride of Mercury. 385. Action of Vesicants. 386. Can- 

 tharides. 387. Biniodide of Mercury in full strength. 388. Setons. 389. 

 Punching. 390. Firing. 391. Application of Irritants. 



Inflammation, as previously stated, may be either a diseased or a 

 curative action (see para. 371, in previous Chapter). 



In the present Chapter we shall endeavour to explain the advantages 

 and means of inducing inflammation artificially in certain cases. 



1st. As supplemental to curative reparative action. 



2nd. As a stimulant to parts deficient in vital energy. 



3rd. As a means of producing what is usually termed counter-irrita- 

 tion, but which we think may more properly be regarded as stimulation. 



