DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 491 



Heat. — Either diy or moist beat acts as a derivative. It quickens 

 the circulation and renders the chemical changes more active in the 

 surrounding parts; it softens the tissues and attracts the current of 

 blood from the inflamed organ; it also promotes the absorption of the 

 effusion and hastens the elimination of the waste products in the part. 

 Heat ma,y be applied \>\ hand rubbing or active friction and the appli- 

 cation of warm coverings (bandages) or by cloths wrung out of warm 

 water, or steaming with warm moist vapor, medicated or not, will 

 answer the same purpose. The latter is especially applicable to 

 inflammatory troubles in the air passages. 



Local hleeding. — This treatment frequently affords immediate relief 

 by carrying off the excessive blood and draining the effusion which 

 has already occurred. It affords direct mechanical relief, and, by a 

 stimulation of the part, promotes the chemical changes necessary 

 for bringing the diseased tissues to a healthy condition. Local blood- 

 letting can be done by scarifying, or making small punctures into the 

 inflamed part, as in the eyelid of an inflamed eye, or into the sheath 

 of the penis, or into the skin of the latter organ when congested, or 

 the leg when acutely swelled. 



Counter ipvitants are used for deep inflammations. They act by 

 bringing the blood to the surface and consequenth" lessening the 

 blood pressure within. The derivation of the blood to the exterior 

 diminishes the amount in the internal organs and is often very rapid 

 in its action in reliexing a congested lung or liver. The most com- 

 mon counterirritant is mustard flour. It is applied as a soft paste 

 mixed with warm water to the under surface of the belly and to the 

 sides where the skin is comparativelj' soft and vascular. Colds in the 

 throat or inflanmiations at an}" point demand the treatment applied in 

 the same manner to the belly and sides and not to the throat or on the 

 legs, as so often used. Blisters, iodine, and many other irritants are 

 used in a similar wa\\ 



Constitutional treatment in inflammation is designed to reduce the 

 current of blood, which is the fuel for the inflammation in the dis- 

 eased part, to quiet the patient, and to combat the fever or general 

 effects of the trouble in the S3^stem, and to favor the neutralization or 

 elimination of the products of the inflammation. It consists of — 



Bed action of Wood. — This is obtained in various ways. The diminu- 

 tion of the quantit}^ of blood lessens the amount of pressure on the 

 vessels, and, as a sequel, the volume of it which is carried to the point 

 of inflammation; it diminishes the bodj^ temperature or fever; it numbs 

 the nervous system, which plays an important part as a conductor of 

 irritation in diseases. 



BJood-lettmg is the most rapid means, and frequently acts like a 

 charm in relieving a commencing inflammatorj^ trouble. One must 

 remember^ however, that the strength of the body and repair depend 



