483 



Termination of inflammation.— L\\^e congestion, inflammation may 

 terminate by resolution. In this case the exuded lym^ih undergoes 

 chemical alteration by oxidization, and the products are absorbed 

 and carried off by the blood vessels and lymphatics, to be thro^vn out 

 of the body by the liver, the glands of the skin, and the other excre- 

 tory organs. The eellB, which have wandered into the neighboring 

 tissues from the blood vessels, find their way back again or become 

 transformed into fixed cells. Those which are the result of the tissue 

 cells, wakened into active life, follow the same course. The vessels 

 tliemselves contract, and liaving resumed their normal caliber, the 

 pai't apparently reassumes its normal condition; but it is always 

 weakened, and a new inflammation is more liable to reapi^ear in a 

 previously inflamed part than in a sound one. The alternate termi- 

 nation is mortification. If the mortification, or death of a part, is by 

 molecules, each losing its vitality after the other in more or less rapid 

 succession, it takes the name of ulceration. If it occurs in a consid- 

 erable part at once, it is called gangrene. If this death of the tissues 

 occurs deep in the organism, and the destroj-ed elements and prolifer- 

 ated and dead cells are enclosed in a cavity, the result of the process 

 is called an abscess. When it occurs on a surface, it is an utcer, and 

 an abscess by breaking on the exterior becomes then also an ulcer. 

 Proliferating and dying cells, and the fluid which exudes from an 

 ulcerating surface, and the debris of broken down tissue, is known as 

 pus, and the process by which this is formed is known as suppuration. 

 A mass of dead tissue in a soft part is termed a slough, while the 

 same in bone is called a sequestrum. 



Treatment of inflammaiion.—The study of the cause and patholog- 

 ical alterations of inflammation has shown the process to be one of 

 hypernutrition, attended by excessive l)lood supplv, so this study will 

 indicate the primary factor to be employed in the treatment of it 

 Any agent which will reduce the blood supply and prevent the exces- 

 sive nutrition of the elements of the part will serve as a remedy 

 The means employed may l>e used locaUy to the part,*or thev may be 

 constitutional remedies, which act indirectly. 

 Local treatment consists of: 



{a) Rertvoval of the cause, as a stone in the frog, causing a traumatic 

 thrush; a badly fitting harness or saddle, causing ulcers of the skin- 

 decomposing manui-e and urine in a stable, which, by their vapors,' 

 irritate the air tubes and lungs and cause a cough. These causes if 

 removed, will frequently allow the part to heal at once. 



{h) i?e6/.— Motion stimulates the action of the blood, and thus feeds 

 an inflamed tissue. This is alike applicable to a diseased point irri- 

 tated by movement, to an inflamed pair of lungs surcharged with 

 blood by the use demanded of them in a working animal, or to an 

 inflamed eye exposed to light, or an inflamed stomach and intestines 

 stiUfurther fatigued by food. Absolute quiet, a dark stable, and small 



