COUNTER-IRRITANTS 671 



mation, with increase of vascularity, tissue change and fatty 

 degeneration. lu " breakdown," the formation of scar tissue 

 is thouglit (Y/ithont reason) to assist in supporting the limb. 

 Sometimes, on the other hand, osseous deposit is unabsorbed, 

 but anchylosis and freedom from pain in a diseased joint is 

 secured by the enforced maintenance of rest and fixation of 

 the joint, together with the production of new bone. 



In exudative diseases of serous membranes, as pleuritis, 

 pericarditis, peritonitis, meningitis, arthritis, and synovitis, 

 blisters facilitate absorption and recovery after the acute 

 stage is over. This favoi-aVjle result is not due to loss of 

 serum, but to modification of the inflammatory process. In 

 the first three diseases named above, blisters — flying blist- 

 ers — may be applied in spots every few days in different 

 places over the afft-cted area. 



Blisters reflexly stimulate the nerve centres in menin- 

 gitis, in addition to their action on the inflammatory lesion. 

 They should be applied over the poll or spine according 

 to the location of the trouble. Absorption in chronically 

 enlarged glands is assisted by blisters. They also hasten 

 "ripening" of suppurating glands or abscess when this 

 process is slow, and hasten their resolution after evacua- 

 tion of pus. The blister should be rubbed on about the 

 inflamed area in these lesions. 



Vesicants are also valuable in pharyngitis and laryngitis 

 for severe cases, when stimulating liniments are ineffectual ; 

 and, in lessening pain, exudation and swelling af the throat, 

 may avert the necessity of tracheotomy. A blister applied 

 about the coronet in diseases of the feet is serviceable in 

 stimulating the growth of the hoof and promotes repair in 

 navicular disease, laminitis, and cartilaginous quittor, after 

 the acute stage is passed. In arthritis and synovitis, the 

 whole diseased area, with the exception of the flexure of the 

 joint, is covered with a blister. Since it is often impossible 

 to immobilize a part, in veterinary practice, by splints, 

 blisters are sometimes employed for this end after reduction 

 of dislocations. . 



