INFLAMMATIONS.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



[inflammations. 



union, and which is liable to be at all times 

 exposed to the vicissitudes of temperature ; for 

 botii skin and lungs appear emunctores of the 

 fcecal parts of the blood, and hence the sym- 

 pathy between them is observed to be very 

 great. Anything, therefore, that may prevent 

 the exit of this fcecal matter, called perspira- 

 tion, from the vessels of the skin, will throw 

 much more of it on the lungs. When, there- 

 fore, in addition to these occasional causes, we 

 consider that the lungs are very large, as well 

 as very important organs, and that in an ani- 

 mal of speed tliey are peculiarly extensive in 

 their surfaces, and extremely vascular in their 

 structure, we shall be at no loss to account for 

 their tendency to inflammation. 



This tendency, also, seems much heightened 

 in common with the proneness to other dis- 

 eases, by artificial life ; for in a state of nature, 

 or one nearly approaching to it, they are seldom 

 attacked. Even cows experience this increased 

 tendency, arising from artificial habits, as may 

 be observed in those kept near London, and 

 other great cities, where they are more arti- 

 ficially supported, and subjected to occasional 

 housing. 



Cure of Injiammaiion of the Lungs. — The 

 principal modes of cure are two : first, to 

 lessen the increased vascularity or distension 

 of the lungs, by bleeding ; and second, to 

 endeavour, by external stimulants, to change 

 the diseased action : that is, by raising an 

 external inflammation, we try to lessen the 

 internal one ; and it must be remarked, that 

 as this disease is obstinate and quickly fatal, 

 so the treatment must be active and imme- 

 diate. The cure should therefore be promptly 

 begun by bleeding, according to the age, size, 

 and strength of the animal, regard also being 

 paid to the length of time the disease has 

 existed ; for, when the treatment is com- 

 menced too late, the bleeding cannot be carried 

 to the extent that it may be, at an earlier 

 stage of the complaint. As a general rule, 

 bleedings for inflammation of the lungs, 

 should nevf>- be continued longer than is 

 necessary to raise the pulse ; that is, sup- 

 posing this to be previously in a depressed 

 state, which, in tv\XQ pneumonia, it usually is: 

 and in every stage it is quick, and without 

 fulness, even though somewhat hardened. 

 More good is, also, gained by one bleeding 

 202 



within the first twenty-four hours of thg 

 disease, than from numerous repetitions of it 

 afterwards. From a moderate-sized horse, 

 five, six, or seven quarts, or even more, may 

 be drawn ; and should the symptoms indicate 

 a necessity for it, particularly if the pulse 

 rises on the first bleeding, in five or six hours 

 take three or four quarts more ; and as long 

 as the breathing continues laborious, the ex- 

 tremities permanently cold, and the pulse 

 depressed, but rising on the flowing of the 

 blood — so long the bleeding should be repeated 

 to the amount of two or three quarts at a 

 time, at intervals of six or eight hours. This 

 is recommended under a supposition that the 

 treatment commences soon after the attack ; 

 but if otherwise, and violent symptoms have 

 existed thirty-six or forty-eight hours, the 

 bleeding must be repeated with more cau- 

 tion, and the pulse most attentively watched ; 

 or the opposite extreme may be fallen 

 into, and such debility succeed, as may pro- 

 duce the very event desired to be avoided-^— 

 namely, the hastening of gangrene or efi^usion. 

 It is of considerable importance to draw the 

 blood quickly, by means of a large orifice, as 

 directed under General Inflammation, and to 

 suffer the blood drawn, to cool gradually with- 

 out disturbance, when the bufty surface will 

 have an opportunity of showing itself, and afibrd 

 conclusions to be drawn whether bleeding 

 should or should not be further persisted in. 

 Immediately after the first bleeding, some active 

 stimulants should be applied to the surface of 

 the chest. Blisters have the effect of takmj,' 

 off" the hair, which disfigures the horse for a 

 long time afterwards ; and therefore their use 

 is sometimes objected to. They, however, act 

 by stimulating the parts not immediately 

 affected, and prove a counter-irritant ; and 

 there is no specific virtue in one matter more 

 than another, beyond its degree of stimulating 

 action to the part to which it is applied. The 

 degree of irritation necessary, must be pro- 

 portioned to the degree of inflammation it is 

 intended to counteract, by also becoming a 

 counter irritation. (See Blisters). If that 

 be very considerable, the medicinal stimulant 

 must be so likewise ; and we know of none 

 whose energy is great in this respect, that 

 will not raise the cuticle, and separate the 

 hair. Consequently, as blisters act powerfully 



