IXFLA-MMATION. 307 



deal of tlie unnatural lieat is speedily abstracted from the inflamed part. 

 Wlien benefit is derived from these applications, it is to be attributed in 

 some measure to their coldness. The cold tends to brace up and invigorate 

 the parts, and the evaporation from the blood, consequent upon the appli- 

 cation of moisture, conduces rapidly to reduce the inflammation. A 

 bandage well wetted, partially wrung out, and renewed every half hour 

 or less, during the continuance of active inflammation, will cause it to 

 subside considerably. When the acute stage has passed off', the wet 

 bandage must be well wrung out, covered by three or four folds of dry 

 linen, changed every three or four hours, and wet hand-rubbing for five 

 or ten minutes applied twice or thrice a daj. 



Sometimes, however, we resort to wai-m fomentations, and the benefit 

 derived from their use is to be traced to the warmth of the fluid, more 

 than to any medicinal property in it. Warm water will do as much good 

 to the horse, who has so thick a skin, as any decoction of chamomile, or 

 marsh-mallow, or poppy heads, or any nostrum that the farrier may 

 recommend. Fomentations increase the warmth of the skin, and open 

 the pores of it, and promote perspii-ation, and thus lessen the tension and 

 swelling of the part, assuage pain, and relieve inflammation. Foment- 

 ations, to be beneficial, should be long and frequently applied, and at as 

 great a degree of heat as can be used without giving the animal pain. 

 Poultices are more permanent, or longer- continued fomentations. The part 

 is exposed to the influence of warmth and moisture for many hours or days 

 without intermission, and perspiration being so long kept up, the distended 

 vessels mil be very materially relieved. The advantage derived from a 

 poultice is attributable to the heat and moisture, which, by means of it, 

 can be long applied to the skin, and it should be composed of materials 

 which will best retain this moisture and heat. The bran poultice of the 

 farrier is, consequently, objectionable. It is never perfectly in contact 

 with the surface of the skin, and it becomes nearly dry in a few houi's, 

 after which it is injurious rather than beneficial. Linseed-meal is a much 

 better material for a poultice, for, if properly made, it will remain moist 

 during many hours. The two, however, may be mixed with advantage ; 

 and, if judiciously and carefully applied — that is, in close contact with the 

 skin — are of considerable efficacy. 



It is occasionally very difficult to decide when a cold or a hot application 

 is to be used, and no general rule can be laid down, except that in cases of 

 superficial inflammation, and in the early stage, cold lotions will be 

 preferable ; but, when the inflammation is deeper seated, or fully established, 

 or extended over a large surface, warm fomentations will be most service- 

 able. 



Stimulating applications are frequently used in local inflammation. 

 Wlien the disease is deeply seated, a stimulating application to the skin 

 will cause some irritation and inflammation there, and lessen or sometimes 

 remove the original malady ; hence the use of rowels and blisters in 

 inflammation of the chest. Inflammation to a high degree cannot exist in 

 parts that are so near each other. If we excite it in one, we shall abate 

 it in the other, and also, by the discharge which we estabhsh from the one, 

 we shall lessen the determination of blood to the other. 



Stimulating and blistering applications should never be applied to a part 

 already inflamed. A fire is not put out by heaping more fuel upon it. 

 Hence the mischief which the farrier often does by rubbing his abominable 

 oils on a recent sprain, hot and tender. Many a horse has been ruined by 

 this absurd treatment. When the heat and tenderness have disappeared 

 by the use of cold lotions or fomentations, and tlie leg or sprained part 

 remains enlarged, or bony matter threatens to be deposited, it may then 



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