452 ON IKEITANTS AND COUNTEE-IREITANTS. 



hypersemic. Those of the deeper layers, on the contrary, as well 

 as the thoracic wall, were much paler than on the uninjured 

 side, and even the lung itself was anaemic. When a hair seton 

 was left in the knee of a rabbit for four weeks, suppuration was 

 induced immediately around it, but the muscles around the 

 joint, and the joint itself, were very anremic when compared 

 with the corresponding parts on the uninjured limb. 



Supposing that the effects of blisters on man are similar to 

 those upon rabbits, we can understand the benefits derived from 

 their use in inflammation of internal organs. If the pericardium, 

 pleura, or lung itself is inflamed, the application of a blister to 

 the chest will cause contraction of the arteries in them, and 

 lessen the pain, just as pressure on the radial or brachial would 

 do in inflammation of the finger. Their beneficial action in 

 pericarditis is well illustrated by two cases which, in the 

 absence of Dr. Church, I lately had under my care. J. E., a 

 male aged 25, was admitted into John Ward on September 13, 

 suffering from a first attack of rheumatism. Both wrists and 

 knees were swollen and painful. At 11 o'clock on the morning 

 of admission the heart sounds were normal. At 2 p.m. a distinct 

 pericardial friction was heard. A blister was applied over the 

 cardiac rejjion, blisters to both wrists, and poultices to the knees. 

 "Next day the friction had entirely gone, and the pain in the 

 wrists disappeared, although it still continued in the knees. 

 On the succeeding day a friction sound was again audible, but 

 the pain in the wrists never returned. A blister was again 

 applied to the cardiac region. Next day the friction had dis- 

 appeared, and did not return. No increased dulness in the 

 cardiac region could be detected. E. B., a female aged 16, was 

 admitted for scarlatina into Elizabeth Ward, on September 6. 

 On the 13th an acute attack of rheumatism came on, with 

 swelling and pain in the wrists, and distinct pericardial friction. 

 In this case also a blister was applied to the cardiac region 

 within four hours of the appearance of the friction. ISText day 

 the friction had entirely disappeared, the pains in the wrists 

 were less, and on the succeeding day were entirely gone. 



In both of these cases I believe that, had we been able to 

 examine the pericardium at the time the blister was applied, we 



