LOCAL INFLAMMATION. 433 



action, and therefore promotes other termination than reso- 

 lution, we should be careful to avoid applying either of 

 these means too hot. On the other hand, as in these im- 

 mediate instances cold would prove injurious, so we should 

 be careful in the use of fomentations, that we do not leave 

 the part afterwards wet and exposed, otherwise cold will be 

 generated by evaporation. Fo'r these reasons a moderately 

 warm poultice frequently applied becomes, in many cases, 

 one of the best applications in promoting resolution ; and 

 perhaps it is peculiarly eligible when the inflammation is 

 some way removed from the surface, as it tends to unload 

 the vessels near the part. When the inflammation is 

 situated still deeper, we frequently use rubefacients or 

 actual blisters, vv'hich create an artificial metastasis. But 

 when, notwithstanding all our efforts, the tension, heat, 

 and tenderness of the part increase, suppuration generally 

 takes place. 



When suppuration becomes unavoidable, we should pro- 

 mote it. If the inflammation has been confined to a mucous 

 surface, we may expect suppuration to take place without 

 trouble ; these surfaces soon throwing out pus, but with 

 great expense to the constitution, as the consequent debility 

 too surely proves. If the inflammation be situated within 

 the cellular membrane, under the integuments, or near the 

 muscles, &c. &c., the symptoms will run higher before pus 

 is emitted, but they will also sooner subside. It must be 

 our care then to avoid depleting the system, when we desire 

 suppuration ; on the contrary, we must feed high, and 

 nourish the body by every means in our power ; a mode- 

 rate heat should be constantly applied to the part by 

 means of warm poultices. Should the suppuration be deep 

 seated, or when it becomes prudent to hasten the matura- 

 tion, turpentine may be added to the poultices, which 

 applications should be frequently renewed ; or even blisters 

 may be applied. Almost constant fomentation might pos- 

 sibly be better, as renewing the heat oftener : but in these 

 cases the fomentation is, however, too frequently discon- 

 tinued, the part being left wet, and suffered to grow cold. 



Abscess. — An abscess differs from suppuration, inasmuch 

 as the pus secreted is all poured into a closed sac, and there 

 retained till the bag is either opened with a knife, or bursts 



Ff 



