CO FEVER. ABSCESS. t;OLl>. 



inflammation ot all the solids and organs of life, or, more properly, /e.^r. 

 But when only a certain part of the system, or a single organ is thus check- 

 ed, we consider the affair under tlie name of inflammation of that part, as of 

 the lungs, the kidneys, &c. ; always keeping in mind, that, by continuance, 

 these extend their baleful affections to other organs, with which a certaii. 

 sympathy is known to exist. In like manner, when external muscular parts 

 swell and secrete matter, this is in like manner an inflammation of that parti- 

 cular part, or tumour, or abscess, with a great variety of names, according to 

 the place where it may be seated : poll-evil and fistula are among those external 

 complaints to which I allude. 



The latter, or local kind of inflammation, is the effect of the former or con- 

 tinued internal fever, and whenever such a tumour or abscess makes its ap- 

 pearance near the surface, the general inflanunation or fever subsides; when 

 it discharges offensive matter, the fever is cured. If such a tumour appear 

 without previous general fever of the system, we repel it, so that it may dis- 

 perse and pass off by stool. It may usually, however, he considered as an 

 effort of nature to relieve itself of offensive viscid matter that lurks in the sys- 

 tem ; and in this case only, when v^'ell ascertained, would that reduction of 

 the system which 1 shall shortly insist upon as proper in all inflammatory at- 

 tacks, be least advisable, as nature would then require aid to assist her in hei 

 efforts, rather than subtraction from her [)owers, by the bleeding, purging, 

 <fec. so recommended. 



But whenever a cold is caught, whereby the trunk is afi'ected, one of two 

 evils is experienced, that are quite contrary in their effects: 1st, Either the 

 bowels lose the power of retaining their contents, and of contributing their aid 

 to the purposes of digestion, chylitication, and sanguification, i. e. the making 

 of fresh blood, and diarrhoea ensues; or, 2d, The extreme heat of the body 

 causes the dung to harden, and if the obstruction be not speedily removed, 

 the most distressing consequences usually happen. Either extreme may come 

 on gradually and imperceptibly; but as the latter (termed constipation) is of 

 most frequent recurrence, is a disorder of over repletion, producing vertigo, 

 staggers, apoplexy, megrims, or fits, 1 have considered it under a separate 

 head, as "costiveness ; " seeing that it sometimes supervenes without previous 

 fever, though always accompanied by it. One or other species of affection 

 of the bowels is also produced by catarrhal inflammation, or fever of the organs 

 of respiration, when this is violent or of long continuance. 



Respiration of confined or noxious air in close stables, as described at page 

 39, also produces quicker circulation of the blood ; with perspiration and tem- 

 porary fever, which may be confirmed by sudden exposure to the open air, 

 and the consequent detention of blood in the small vessels which we term 

 capillary. Sudden immersion in cold water whilst sweating and respiring 

 with difficulty after a run, wading through a river, or standing in a current 

 of cold air, are all prolific sources of inflammatory disorders. Indeed fevei 

 and inflammation are so closely allied to each other, that we run little risk of 

 creating confusion of terms by considering them as derived from the same 

 origin, and none whatever in treating of both in the same chapter. For most 

 •tablemen and farriers, as well as many veterinary writers, do speak of the 

 tine and the other promiscuously, as if they were the same, when describing 

 the symptoms of either; nor do I see any good cause for my deviating from 

 this practice upon the present occasion, after the slight distinction just drawn. 



One other general observation may l>e aptly made in this })lace, which may 

 8tand instead of much discussion hereafter. As fever is a necessary conse- 



auence of any inflammation whatever, so without fever there would be no in- 

 animation. Every run you give a horse heats or inflames his blood, quick- 

 ens his pulse, and he sustains lemi)orarY fever. Wliilst in this state, 'f any 



