External Inflani niation. 257 



lungs aloes may be given as a purgative, but in 

 inflammation of the bowels it would be decidedly 

 wrong, from its tendency to gripe ; and even in 

 inflammation of the lungs purgative medicine 

 should not be given until after the inflammatory 

 symptoms have abated. In external inflammation, 

 great difference of opinion prevails as to the 

 treatment ; some recommend cold embrocations 

 as the most proper mode of treatment, being most 

 likely to allay the heat in the part, and there 

 can be little doubt but they will speedily lessen 

 the heat, from the well-known principle that 

 caloric has a strong tendency to equalize itself 

 or to quit any substance that is surcharged with 

 it ; consequently by these appliances the increased 

 temperature is reduced in the part inflamed. Thus, 

 when using arnica lotion in cases of external 

 inflammation, the effect will be considerably 

 heightened by dissolving two ounces of nitre in 

 a quart of lotion, which should be composed of 

 one ounce of arnica h.p, to forty ounces of water. 

 When nitre is used with the lotion, it should be 

 used as soon as fairly dissolved, the inflamed 

 portion being completely exposed to the process 

 of evaporation. Nitre has the effect of reducing 

 the temperature of the lotion many degrees below 

 its natural condition, but it is questionable 

 whether permanent benefit is derived from cold 

 applications in cases of inflammation. My own 

 experience leads me to believe more in warm 

 fomentations. Although not so grateful as cold 

 ones to hot swellings, they will be found to 

 produce better results, as they open the pores of 



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