1 60 INFLAMMATION. 



INFLAMMATION. 



Local inflammation is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, 

 and pain. 



If inflammation consists of an increased flow of blood to and 

 through the part, the ready way to abate it is to lessen the 

 quantity of blood. All other means are comparatively unim- 

 portant, contrasted with bleedi7ig. Blood is generally abstracted 

 from the jugular vein, and so the general quantity may be 

 lessened ; but if it can be taken from the neighborhood of the 

 diseased part, it will be productive of tenfold benefit. One quart 

 of blood abstracted from the foot in acute founder, by unloading 

 the vessels of the inflamed part, and enabUng them to contract, 

 and, in that contraction, to acquire the tone and power to resist 

 future distention, will do more good than five quarts taken from 

 the general circulation. An ounce of blood obtained by scarify- 

 ing the swelled vessels of the inflamed eye, will give as much 

 relief to that organ as a copious bleeding from the jugular. It is 

 a principle in the animal frame which should never be lost sight 

 of by the veterinary surgeon, or the horseman, that if by bleeding 

 the process of inflammation can once be checked, — if it can be 

 suspended but for a little while, — although it may return, it is 

 never with the same degree of violence, and in many cases it is 

 got rid of entirely. Hence the necessity of bleeding early, and 

 bleeding largely, in inflammation of the lungs or of the bowels, 

 or of the brain, or of any important organ. Many horses are lost 

 for want or insufficiency of bleeding, but we never knew one 

 materially injured by che most copious extraction of blood in tho 

 early stage of acute inflammation. The horse will bear, and 

 with advantage, the loss of an almost incredible quantity of 

 blood, — four quarts taken from him, will be comparatively little 

 more than one pound taken from the human being. We can 

 scarcely conceive of a considerable inflammation of any part of 

 the horse, whether proceeding from sprains, contusions, or any 

 other cause in which bleeding, local (if possible), or general, or 

 both, will not be of essential service. 



Next in importance to bleeding, is purging. Something may 



horse and the thorough bred, as there stated, and 36 or 37 a minute may 

 be considered the standard pulse in the latter when in health and free 

 from excitement. It is most important to distinguish between the pulse of 

 fever and that of inflammation. We may have a pulse of tlie greatest 

 rapidity, as in influenza, and yet no one part of the body much inflamed. 

 We have known the pulse of the horse more than trebled, and the animal 

 still recover ; and, on the other hand, in cases of inflammation, a pulse of 

 60 has betokened great danger, and, in some cases, has been succeeded by 

 death. 



