94 THE HORSE AISTD ITS DISEASES. 



occasioned by the increased action of the vessels. The 

 swelling arises from the same cause, and from the same 

 deposit of fluid in the neighbouring substance. The 

 natural heat of the body is produced by the gradual 

 change whi^;h takes place in the blood, in passing from 

 an arterial to a venous state. 



If more blood is driven thi^ough the capillaries of an 

 inflamed part, and in which this change is effected, more 

 heat will necessarily be produced there, and the pain is 

 easily accounted for by the distention and pressure which 

 must be produced, and the participation of the nerves in 

 the disturbance of the surrounding parts. 



If inflammation consists of an increased flow of blood 

 to, and through the part, the ready way to abate it is to 

 h^ssen the quantity of blood — if one take away the fuel, 

 the fire will go out. 



All other means are comparatively unimportant, con- 

 trasted with bleeding. Blood is generally extracted 

 from the jugular vein, and so the general quantity may 

 be lessened ; but if it can be taken from the neighbour- 

 hood of the diseased part, it will be productive of ten- 

 fold benefit ; one quart of blood abstracted from the foot 

 in acute founder, by unloading the vessels of the inflamed 

 part, and enabling them to contract, and in that contrac- 

 tion, to acquire tone and power to resist future distention, 

 will do more good than 5 quarts taken from the general 

 circulation. 



An ounce of blood obtained by scarifying the swelled 

 vessels of the inflamed eye, will give as much relief to 

 that organ, as a copious bleeding from the jugular vein. 

 It is a principal in the animal frame, whicb should never 

 be lost sight of by the veterinary surgeon, that if by 

 bhseding the process of inflammation can once be 

 checked — if it can be suspended but for a little while, 

 although it may return, it is never with the same degree 

 of violence, and in many cases it is got rid of entirely. 

 Hence, the necessity of bleeding early, and bleeding 

 largely, in inflammation of the lungs, or of the bowels, 



