INPLAMMATION. 41 



sufficiency in Weeding, but we never knew of 

 one being materially injured by the most copi- 

 ous extraction of blood. 



It is very difficult to decide when a cold or 

 hot apiDlication is to be used, and no general 

 rule can be laid down^ except that in cases of 

 inflammation in the early stages, cold will be 

 preferable, but when the inflammation is deeper 

 seated or fully established, warm fomentations 

 will be found most serviceable. Stimulating 

 applications are frequently used in local inflam- 

 mation. When the disease is deeply seated, a 

 stimulating application to the skin will cause 

 some irritation and inflammation there, and 

 lessen or remove the malady; hence the use 

 of rowels and blisters in inflammation of the 

 chest. If we excite it in one, ;tve shall abate it 

 in the other, — and also, by the discharge which 

 we establish from the one, we shall lessen the 

 determination of the other. Stimulating and 

 blistering applications should never be applied 

 to a part that is already inflamed. A fire 

 will not go out by heaping more fuel upon it; 

 hence the mischief which is often done by rub- 

 bing those abominable oils on a recent sprain, 



