INFLAMMATION . 749 



applied. The severity of the counter-irritant must be regulated 

 by the site, condition, and nature of the inflammation. 



The remedies which are used to arrest the inflammatory pro- 

 cess are called Antiphlogistics, the most important of which are 

 blood-letting, purgatives, sedatives, and diuretics. Blood-letting, 

 which has now come almost into disuse, was at one time looked 

 upon as the sheet-anchor in the treatment of inflammation. 

 Without entering into any discussion of the subject, we will simply 

 remark that, though from the abuse which was made of this 

 operation, by being employed unnecessarily, when milder and 

 more simple measures might do, frequently producing injurious 

 results, it has justly been dispensed with; yet we are convinced 

 that to abandon the practice entirely would be to deprive our- 

 selves of a valuable remedy in checking inflammation. 



We will meet with cases in which bleeding will be found very 

 useful, not only in checking the inflammatory process, but in pro- 

 moting the absorption of medicinal agents. At the same time we 

 are convinced that, in the majority of cases in which it is practiced 

 it is useless, and often injurious, prostrating the patient already 

 reduced by disease. When bleeding is resorted to, it must be 

 speedily extracted from a large orifice to make any impression on 

 the system ; and the quantity must be regulated by the effect on 

 the pulse, rather than by the quantity withdrawn. It is only in 

 the earlier stages that this operation is warranted ; it should never 

 be resorted to in any case showing a tendency to weakness. 



Purgatives are very beneficial, and must be given early. They 

 prevent constipation, a symptom very frequently attendant on 

 inflammation, besides emptying the system of noxious matters, 

 stimulating the sluggish secretions, and draining off impurities 

 from the blood. 



Sedatives are invaluable in extensive inflammations, by sub- 

 duing the action of the heart. They lessen the fever, and keep 

 down constitutional excitement. They have the advantage over 

 blood-letting as antiphlogistics, inasmuch as they can be kept up 

 much longer, and do not reduce the strength unduly, to harbor 

 which we cannot be too careful. Fleming's tincture of aconite, 

 opium, calomel, digitalis, and belladonna are the principal sedatives 

 used. 



Diuretics reduce fever by evacuating the system of fluids, and 



