882 GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



placed ill baths at the temperature of 105° F., till the tem- 

 perature becomes normal. Such treatment should be com- 

 bined with the use of vascular and cardiac stimulants, 

 atropine, dipjitalis and strychnine, and saline infusions. 



MODES OF APPLYING HEAT. 



Poultices or Cataplasms. — Cataplasms are compositions 

 for the local application of heat and moisture. They are 

 made, commonly, of flaxseed meal, bran, oatmeal, bread, 

 potatoes and carrots. One or other of these is stirred up in 

 boiling water until a thick, pasty consistency is reached. 

 This mass may then be applied, while very hot, directly to 

 the part when we wish to produce a softening of the tissues^ 

 as in abscess or tender feet in horses, and the whole is 

 covered by a cloth. In poulticing horses* feet, the material — 

 usually brail and flaxseed meal, equal parts — is mixed in a 

 pail, with boiling water, and spread on a piece of bagging 

 (double thickness, and about two feet square), in sufficient 

 quantity to surround and cover the entire foot. The bag- 

 ging is then folded and tied about the pasterns, and over 

 around the front and sole of the foot. The whole should 

 occasionally be immersed in water to prevent drying of the 

 poultice. When a poultice is used merely for its continued 

 heat, in relieving heat and congestion, the material should 

 be enclosed in a flannel bag, in order the longer to retain 

 and radiate its warmth. 



A very hot poultice acts as a counter-irritant in con- 

 tracting blood vessels in more remote parts, besides its effect 

 in abating pain. A warm, moist poultice causes a mild local 

 hyperaemia, softens broken down and dead tissues, and aids 

 suppuration and sloughing. Poultices are not employed 

 very much, except in the treatment of horses' feet, as they 

 are clumsy, laborious contrivances, and difficult to keep in 

 place. If long-continued, they cause tissues to become 

 swollen, sodden and macerated, destroying their vitality. 

 Antiseptic poultices are made by soaking sheet cotton, gauze, 

 or other absorbent material, in hot antiseptic solutions, as 



