270 GENERAL THERAPEUTICS FOR VETERINARIANS 



intimately associated. In these diseases, it may be assumed, the 

 chilling acts as an abnormal cutaneous irritant, causing a disturb- 

 ance of the circulation, innervation and especially the metabolism 

 of the musculature. Similar influences can be exerted upon the 

 diseased musculature by the employment of hydropathic dressings, 

 the disturbed circulation and innervation being affected by deriva- 

 tion and counter-irritation. Warm water is most desirable for this 

 purpose because it at the same time allayspain. Cold water is more 

 suitable to the prophylactic hardening against the diseases men- 

 tioned. Experience has taught that muscular rheumatism as well 

 as rheumatic hsemoglobinaemia [azoturia] can be effectively pre- 

 vented by accustoming the skin to the irritation from cold and 

 hardening it against the harmful results. Avoiding too warm 

 stabling and covering, accustoming to cold, and especially frequent 

 cold rubbing down when rationally employed afford good protec- 

 tion against these diseases. 



7. The respiration is stimulated by cold water. Cold appli- 

 cations are therefore employed as stimulants in weakness and 

 paralytic conditions of the respiratory centre (syncope, poisoning 

 by chloroform) and to strengthen expiration in pulmonary and 

 bronchial diseases. On the other hand, the diseased lungs are 

 relieved by the derivation of the blood from the lungs to the skin 

 (cutaneous respiration) by means of moist, warm applications. 

 In these respects hydrotherapy is of importance in the treatment of 

 pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. 



8. Locally, cold at first causes contraction of the arteries and 

 ansemia (checking hemorrhage, antiphlogistic action), later dila- 

 tion and congestion of the veins with slowing of the circulation and 

 resorption and decrease of the leucocytes. Moist heat, especially 

 the Priessnitz dressing and cataplasms, promotes local blood cir- 

 culation and cell activity and also local leucocytosis and the 

 formation of antitoxins. Hot applications generate an active 

 hyperemia, which extends to a considerable depth (musculature, 

 peritoneum) and continues for 24 hours and longer; in addition, 

 the circulation of lymph and consequently resorption is stimulated 



