APPLICATION OF COLD WATER. 75 



manner to topical bleeding. Again, when there is no 

 acute inflammation the wet bandages are freed from 

 their superfluous moisture, the blood reacts instantly, 

 healthy evaporation is evolved, and the dry bandages 

 confine the vapour and prevent its too rapid escape. 

 Thus the caloric of the blood is thrown off in the same 

 ratio that it is generated, and no more. In chronic 

 cases, the wet bandage may be renewed every three, 

 four, or five hours. The washing and hand-rubbing of 

 the limb brace up and invigorate the skin, and enable 

 the parts to withstand every variation of temperature. 

 As soon as the acute stage has passed off, as in clap of 

 the back sinew, or in any severe strain, an excellent 

 douche may be applied, the moment the bandage is re- 

 moved, by attaching a lialf-inch india-rubber tube to 

 the water-tap. When the stream has played upon the 

 sinew for two or three minutes, let it be well hand- 

 rubbed before the douche be renewed. One or two 

 applications will be sufficient in the twenty-four hours : 

 hut never use the douche, upon any occasion lohatever, 

 as long as there is acute inflammation present. By ap- 

 plying a nozle to the india-rubber tube, an enema of 

 the first quality and of the greatest power is always at 

 command. This syringe can be regulated in intensity 



