In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 211 



to its ordinary and healthy action ; therefore if the 

 inflammation has located itself in any of the vital 

 organs, the remedies must be prompt and severe. 

 Bleeding from the nearest vein is often very beneficial 

 in reducing inflammation, but it must always 

 be borne in mind that bleeding only gives temporary 

 relief, and reduces the inflammation at the time, 

 and is sure to return a2fain in all its virulence if 

 medicine be not given to keep it in check, therefore 

 aconite, belladonna, and digitalis should be given. 

 If fever is high give aconite; if the pulse is high, 

 hard, and lull, give digitalis. If the eyes are much 

 dilated, belladonna is required. For instance, if the 

 eye is the subject of inflammation, the gorged vessels 

 should be scarified, which will have more effect than 

 bleeding from the jugular vein, especially, as I have 

 said before, if medicine is judiciously administered. 

 A quart of blood taken from the toe of a horse 

 suffering from acuter founder will have more effect 

 than four quarts taken from the neck. Old writers, 

 and, indeed, all the veterinary surgeons of the old 

 school, used to bleed in inflammation in every part, 

 from whatever cause. The use of such drugs as 

 are named above has to a great extent superseded 

 the use of the lance. Whenever it is considered 

 necessary to have recourse to blood-letting in cases 

 of local inflammation, the stream of blood should flow 

 freely ; and to effect this the broad-shouldered lancet 

 should be used, so that the wound in the vein may 

 be ample. In whatever situation the inflammation 

 occurs, and blood-letting is resorted to, the bleeding 



