Local Itiflannnation ; its Symptoms. 255 



deposited in the contiguous substance, and pain 

 must be the effect of distension and pressure pro- 

 duced, and the consequent disarrangement of the 

 nerves of the parts affected. Inflammation of 

 every kind is caused by an increased flow of 

 blood through the vessels of the part affected ; 

 consequently the remedies must be to reduce the 

 circulation to its ordinary and healthy action ; 

 therefore if the inflammation has located itself in 

 any of the vital organs, the remedies must be 

 prompt and severe. Bleeding from the nearest 

 vein is often very beneficial in reducing inflam- 

 mation, but it must always be borne in mind 

 that bleeding only gives temporary relief, and 

 reduces the inflammation at the time, and is sure 

 to return again in all its virulence if medicine be 

 not given to keep it in check ; therefore aconite, 

 belladonna, and digitalis should be given. If 

 fever is high, give aconite ; if the pulse is high, 

 hard, and full, give digitalis. If the eyes are 

 much dilated, helladonna is required. For in- 

 stance, if the eye is the subject of inflammation, 

 the gorged vessels should be scarified, which will 

 have more effect than bleeding from the jugular 

 vein, especially, as I have said before, if medicine 

 is judiciously administered. A quart of blood 

 taken from the toe of a horse suffering from 

 acute founder will have more effect than four 

 quarts taken from the neck. Old writers, and, 

 indeed, all the veterinary surgeons of the old 

 school, nsed to bleed in inflammation in every 

 part, from whatever cause. The use of such 

 drugs as are named above has to a great extent 



