SYMPTOMS OF INFLAMMATION. 57 



much assisted in our investigation into this symptom, by 

 recollection of the facts, that the pain is generally commen- 

 surate with the violence of the disorder and sensibility of 

 the part inflamed ; that it is augmented by any use, or 

 motion, or exertion of the part ; and that it is likewise 

 increased by pressure. The poor sufferer labouring under 

 fever in the feet, advances his hind legs as far under his body 

 as possible,, in order to relieve the fore ones, in which effort 

 he puts himself into such a characteristic posture as denotes, 

 at once, the nature of his complaint. In cases of lameness, 

 it is the pain that occasions the halting, whereby we are 

 informed that disease is going on in the limb, which, but 

 for that symptom, we should probably remain ignorant of 

 until the work of destruction had been completed : an event 

 apt to occur in neurotomized horses, whose hoofs may be 

 shelled before we are yarned of the presence of disease. In 

 inflammations about the body — in strangles, for instance-— 

 we ascertain the degree of pain felt in the tumour by pres- 

 sure : we apply our fingers upon the part, and accordingly 

 as the animal shrinks from this test, we estimate the pain 

 he feels. It must be remembered, however, that there are 

 disorders of the most grievous nature in which inflammation 

 has not been discovered, or only in a secondary form ; such 

 are spasms and tetanus. 



Redness is so rarely exhibited in the course of the prac- 

 tice of the veterinary surgeon, that he would almost be 

 justified in withholding his assent to its existence^ did not 

 analogy convince him of the fact. Those who know anything 

 of the nature of inflammation in man, would never think of 

 doubting the presence of redness in horses, although their 

 coats debar us from having ocular demonstration of it ; yet 

 shave off the hair, and heightened colour will be found. 

 In parts naturally bare — the eye, the membrane lining the 

 nose, — in white and cream-coloured horses, the muzzle and 

 lijjs — the scarlet change is apparent enough. Could the 

 foot, in a high state of fever, be stripped of its horny case, 

 it would probably look like a piece of intensely red flesh. 

 The absence of redness, and the imperfect manner we are 



