38 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



inflammation have for ages been advanced, and, for a time, sus- 

 tained j but even at the present day the various doctrines appeal 

 to be considered altogether problematical." 



We often hear, in common parlance, that, " if inflammation seta 

 in, the horse will die." Now, the very reverse of this is the case ; 

 for, while inflammation lasts, there is strength, vitality, and aug- 

 mented action, though there may be much pain. This should be 

 interpreted as the warning voice of Nature, to apprise us of a loss 

 of equilibrium in the circulation of the blood, or some deranged 

 condition of the system ; and we should heed the warning / and 

 array ourselves on the side of Nature, in view of promoting a full 

 and free circulation of the blood over the system, so that there 

 shall be no excess anywhere ; and the derangement, wherever it 

 exists, must next command our attention. 



While inflammation and pain exists, there is hope. Take, for 

 example, inflammation of the intestines. While that stage lasts, 

 the animal is not in danger ; but so soon as inflammation and 

 pain ceases, (often accomplished through the means of bleeding 

 and narcotism,) we then open up a new page of pathology. In 

 the course of a few hours the animal dies. Of what — inflamma- 

 tion ? No. He dies of mortification, or gangrene of the bowels. 

 Therefore death was not caused by inflammation. 



So in regard to phrenitis (inflammation of the brain). A cer- 

 tain amount of pain and activity in the parts are observable ; the 

 inflammation may now be attacked after the true Sangrado fash- 

 ion ; the inflammation is subdued, but still the animal is no bet- 

 ter. He dies. Of what does he die? Not of inflammation, for 

 the autopsy reveals, very often, softening of the brain, and fluid 

 is found within the lateral ventricles. Softening of the brain is 

 equivalent to gangrene (death of a part). Then, again, hors<2S 

 cun not be said to die of inflammation when the practitioner de- 

 clares that he heroically subdued it some time previous to the 

 death of the animal. 



There is no proof that bleeding has any directly beneficial 

 influence over the course of inflammations, either external ti in- 

 ternal. Surgeons never bleed now in external inflammation ; and 

 educated and liberal physicians have given up all arguments in 

 favor of the practice for internal inflammation. Good, In his 

 " Study of Medicine," seems to have given us some definite in« 

 formation regarding the effect of blood-letting in inflammation, 



