76 SYMPTOMS OF INFLAMMATION. 



" In the second place, it deserves full trial wlietlier every in- 

 tense and consequently painful form of counter-irritation might 

 not be superseded by the employment of other means, less in- 

 tense, but more extensively applied; whether, for instance, 

 ten inches of poultice may not be equivalent to three inches 

 of blister, or to one inch of issue. For probably among the 

 agencies now spoken of there is none to which we can look 

 with better grounded confidence than to the diffuse local action 

 of warmth, as supplied by poultices and fomentations ; par- 

 ticularly when it can be so administered as to affect a surface 

 of skin very greatly larger than the quantity of inflamed texture 

 which we desire to relieve. 



" In many chronic — probably also in some acute — inflamma- 

 tions, especially in those which arise from catching cold, or 

 are associated with gout or chronic rheumatism, the excite- 

 ment of the entire skin by baths of hot air or hot vapour is 

 often of the most striking and immediate benefit. And though 

 in most of these cases the result of the exterior heat is probably 

 something more than mere blood-derivation to the skin, yet not 

 the less on that account are they important illustrations of 

 counter-stimulant treatment. 



" Pending the better settlement of what is doubtful in the 

 present subject, there are cautions which every one admits to 

 be necessary if the counter-irritant treatment of inflammation 

 is to succeed according to its intention. In proportion, namely, 

 as the counter-irritants which we employ are of severe local 

 action, we must take care — first, that they be not so applied as 

 to involve the inflamed part in their direct irritant operation ; 

 and, secondly, that they be not so apj)lied as to aggravate any 

 existing febrile disturbance." — (Simon.) 



TREATMENT OF CHEONIC INFLAMMATION. 



All depressing remedies are contra-indicated, and the object 

 must be to rouse and stimulate, not only the part diseased, but 

 the system generally, by good food, iron, quinine (and iodates, if 

 there is any dei^osit or thickening), and by the direct applica- 

 tion of stimulants to the part itself, when superficially situated. 



It shoidd not be forgotten, however, that all mere remedies 

 are but of secondary consideration in the treatment of inflam* 



