38 Veteri7iary Medicine. 



Treatment. The general principles of treatment may be stated 

 thus : ist. Remove the cause of the hyperaemia if possible, 

 especially any mechanical cause ; 2d. Secure the influence of 

 gravitation in favor of the return of blood to the heart ; though 

 not so available in animals as in man, it is of great value in con- 

 gestions of the head, ears, tail, and to a less extent of other 

 parts ; 3d. Correct any fault of blood-pressure, excess or defi- 

 ciency, which may act so as to cause active or passive hyperaemia; 

 4th. Establish derivation by cupping, leeches, fomentations, 

 pediluvia, sinapisms, etc. ; 5th. Apply cold, astringents, bandages, 

 to empty the hyperaemic vessels, or kneading, rubbing, or elec- 

 tricity, to hasten the flow of blood ; 6th. To improve the quality 

 of the blood and general health, in plethora by low diet, purga- 

 tives and diuretics, in anaemic or debilitated conditions by iron, 

 bitters, nourishing food, fresh air, sunshine and exercise. 



It is especially important to check passive congestion in febrile 

 diseases, and mechanical congestion at an early stage of its pro- 

 gress (Roberts). 



