60 SYMPTOMS OF INFLAJklMATION. 



red globules during the very early stage of the inflammation ; 

 but all are agreed that, as the inflammation advances, these 

 diminish in number, falling considerably below their normal 

 quantity. 



As already pointed out, the white corpuscles are increased in the 

 vessels and tissues of the inflamed part, and where the lymphatic 

 system is excited by the inflammation, in the circulation generally. 



The buffy coat is always found in blood drawn from the 

 healthy horse; consequently, this appearance cannot be de- 

 pended upon as proving the existence of inflammatory disease, 

 but the fibrine of the blood during the inflammatory process 

 has an unusual tendency to separate from the colouring matter, 

 and to the aggregation of its particles during coagulation ; 

 the clot or crassamentum is firmer and denser than that of 

 healthy blood, and the surface is hollowed out into a cup- 

 like form, in which case the blood is said to be both buffed and 

 cupped. 



Much difference of opinion exists as to the production of the 

 buffy coat, and I would beg to refer the reader to the observa- 

 tions of Dr. Eichardson of London, Professor Lister, London, 

 and others, for further information. 



TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION. 



If the practitioner is called to a case of injury of any kind, 

 his first duty is to prevent inflammation by every means in 

 his power. In the case of a punctured foot, or any other in- 

 jury where the cause is still remaining, he has to remove that 

 cause, and, by enlarging the wound, allow the escape of any 

 blood or serum that may have collected around the foreign 

 body, and in its immediate vicinity. He will also apply soothing 

 remedies to the part, such as warm or cold fomentations or 

 poultices, and enjoin strict quietude. I prefer warm to cold 

 applications, and recommend them strongly in the majority of 

 cases. It is also a safe and commendable practice to adminis- 

 ter a purgative, consisting of from four to six drachms of aloes 

 in a ball : by pursuing such a line of treatment, every part of 

 the inflammatory process may be averted, or at least modified 

 to a considerable extent. 



But if inflammation be fully established, and the exciting 



