1 82 CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



infectious process itself is e\'idently an exaggeration. It never arrests 

 the course of pneumonia, and I regard it as simpl)- shortening its 

 duration. 



Counter-irritants ahnost alwa}-s give reHef, especially when early 

 resorted to. Mustard is perhaps the best, and is applied in the form 

 of a plaster to the sides and under parts of the chest. It may also be 

 used for rubbing the limbs ; but it is ill-judged to extend its application 

 excessivel}'. The plaster is left in position for several hours. The 

 essential oil which it gives off produces smart irritation of the skin, 

 and abundant infiltration into the subcutaneous connective tissue. 

 During the hours succeeding its use the patient is less depressed, the 

 breathing and circulation are markedly relieved, and there is often 

 temporary diminution in the fever. Counter-irritation also renders 

 phagocytosis more active. Essential oil of mustard applied with 

 friction has the same effects as a plaster. In grave cases of pneu- 

 monia, where the hepatisation stage is abnormall}^ prolonged or 

 marked by serious heart symptoms, many practitioners use blisters. 

 Not only is the effect of blisters mediocre and doubtful, but they have 

 the disadvantage of rendering the patient uneasy, and of preventing the 

 practitioner afterwards following the course of the disease by ausculta- 

 tion, etc. The}- often blemish, and are not without other grave draw- 

 backs. In some cases absorption occurs, producing irritation of the 

 kidneys. 



The value of "issues" has also been exaggerated, and they are 

 much less used than formerly, being now practically confined to the 

 region of the chest. They produce acute suppurative inflammation 

 around the points of insertion ; similar results follow the subcutaneous 

 injection of oil of turpentine, or of any irritant liquid. Such means of 

 treatment, however, may even facilitate infection. Some practitioners 

 claim to draw valuable conclusions from their action ; if suppuration is 

 free, the pneumonia is taking a favourable course ; but failure in this 

 respect alwaj^s constitutes an unfavourable sign. 



As in other infectious diseases, saline or alkaline solutions have an 

 excellent effect. The resistance of the organism to infection is propor- 

 tionate to the degree of alkalinity of the blood, but as this alkalinity 

 tends to diminish I often utilise subcutaneous injections of different 

 chemical solutions, particularly of 7 to '8 per cent, salt solution in daily 

 doses of six to fifteen fluid ounces. These salines affect the blood- 

 })lasma, rendering it more alkaline and increasing its bactericidal 

 properties, at the same time stimulating secretion and the elimination 

 of toxins. Alkalinity of the blood may also be favoured by the adminis- 

 tration of daily doses of one and a half to three ounces of bicarbonate 



