INFLAMMATION.] MODERN VETERINARY PRACTICE. [inflaj^uatxok. 



be caused. Nausealinpj nu'dieiiies employed 

 iil'ter bleedinp once or twiee, are oWru prodiio- 

 tivo of considerable bciielit ; but there lire 

 some afleetiona in wliieli they cannot be used, 

 ^iueh as iuilammatioii of the 8tt)inaeh and in- 

 testines. In all suprrficial inllammations, 

 however, they may be safidy and advantage- 

 ouslv exhibited, as well as in most internal in- 

 flammatory aflVetions, especially in the lungs. 

 Indeed, in every instance in which there is an 

 urgent reason for putting n sudden check to 

 the continuance of the alVection, tliey may be 

 used. The employment of nauseating doses 

 of white hellebore or digitalis, to the amount 

 of l-\ to 2 drachms, three or four times a day, 

 is very efllcacious. 



Opium has been frequently recommended 

 bv many veterinary surgeons ; and we liave 

 seen its good effects, especially in inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels. During its employment, 

 the bowels should be kept open by clysters. 

 Care must be taken to give it in sufficient 

 doses ; for small quantities not only fail in 

 fulfilling the object, but frequently produce 

 quite an opposite efiect. It likewise occasions 

 a moisture on the surface of the body, which 

 experience shows is eminently serviceable in all 

 inflammations. Opium, combined with aloes, 

 is an excellent remedy in cases of inflamma- 

 tion of the feet ; no person but such as may 

 have used this drug, would believe the relief 

 given to so painful a disease. 



In all cases of inflammation, corn must be 

 prohibited ; and even when the inflammation is 

 abated, great care must be taken in administer- 

 ing anything of a highly stimulating nature. 

 Watery, cooling, mucilaginous drinks, taken in 

 a lukewarm state, are the most proper, such 

 as oatmeal gruel, and mashes of bran with 

 chilled water. These take off heat, and tend 

 to soothe the increased action of the whole 

 arterial system. The stable in which the 

 horse is kept, should not be warmer than 

 his comfort requires ; for, of all things, heat 

 keeps up any increased action in the body in 

 the most powerful manner. For the same 

 reason, the animal should not be covered with 

 a superfluous quantity of clothes. 



The whole body, but more especially the 

 inflamed part, should be preserved as free as 

 possible from every kind of motion. Exercise, 

 and muscular exertion of every kind, accele- 



rate the circulation; and hence tlieir periii- 

 cious efli'ct on innaninuitioii, by deUTmining n 

 larijcr quantity of blood to the part aflVctcd. 



With the exci'ption of what hat* bct-n 8tated 

 concerning topical bleeding, all the fon-going 

 remarks relate to the general treatmt nt of 

 inflammation. Wo bhall next consider its 

 local eflects. 



It has been already observed, that inflam- 

 mation is attended with an increanc of heat in 

 the part aflected ; and it is a well-known fact, 

 that the action of the arteries, as well as any 

 other action carried on in the animal economy, 

 is promoted and increased by the influence of 

 heat. For this reason, an obvious mode to bo 

 pursued is, to reduce the temperature of the 

 inflamed part by the topical application of 

 cold; and, in particular, by continually ab- 

 stracting the heat generated in the part, by 

 keeping up a constant evaporation from its 

 surface. 



Preparations of lead, and otlier sedative and 

 astringent substances, are such as are in the 

 greatest repute for bringing about the resolu- 

 tion of inflammation. 



AVe have remarked, that cold applications 

 used in the resolution of inflammation, are 

 commonly such as are of an astringent and 

 sedative quality; but the whole class of medi- 

 cines which are found to possess these proper- 

 ties, can never be recommended as topical 

 remedies for phlegmonous inflammation. The 

 sulphate of zinc, and sugar of lead, combined 

 with vinegar, are the only medicines of an 

 astringent and sedative class, whicii seem to 

 have acquired permanent celebrity for their 

 efficacy in resolving inflammation. 



Extensive experience, and long-established 

 trials, have now fully confirmed the virtue of 

 all local remedies, in which the sugar of lead is 

 the active ingredient. The preparations of 

 lead certainly merit the appellation of seda- 

 tives. An abatement of the difl'erent symp- 

 toms of pain and tension, and the communi- 

 cation of an agreeable soothing sensation to 

 the part, are almost always the direct palpa- 

 ble effects. Every man of experience and ob- 

 servation will allow, that while there is a 

 chance of accomplishing resolution, no local 

 applications to phlegmonous inflammation are, 

 in general, so proper as cold lotions, contain- 

 ing the acetate of lead. 



259 



