294 VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



A high-heeled shoe upon the foot as soon as the jDoultices are discontin- 

 ued may give relief. In the treatment of frost-bites poultices should not 

 be applied for too long a period, for after the slough is thrown off the 

 parts recover more quickly without than with poultices; and, as a general 

 rule, frost-bites are at first best treated witli cold applications; but if 

 sloughing has commenced, poultices, irrigations, or fomentations are to 

 be employed, succeeded by cold mild astringents, antiseptics, or deodor- 

 izers, such as charcoal. 



BURNS AND SCALDS. 



These are common at iron works, and result from horses falling on 

 hot dross, the bursting of steam-pipes, etc. 



The division of burns is, from time immemorial, into three classes — 

 (1.) Burns producing mere redness; (2.) Those causing vesication; and 

 (3.) Those causing death of the part burnt. 



The first class is attended with mere superficial inflammation, termi- 

 nating with or without — more generally with — desquamation of the cuti- 

 cle and temporary loss of the hair. 



The second class is attended by a higher degree of inflammation, 

 causing the cutis to exude serum, and to form vesicles, followed in most 

 instances by suppuration and the formation of obstinate ulcers. The 

 formation and increase of these vesicles may be often prevented by 

 proper treatment. 



The third class of burns is attended with mortification from disor- 

 ganization of structure; the skin and subcutaneous tissues being literally 

 roasted or broiled, as the case may be, the blood coagulated in its vessels, 

 and the circulation of the part completely stopped. 



In all cases of severe scalds or burns there is more or less supervening 

 fever, manifested by shiverings, coldness of the skin and extremities, pros- 

 tration of strength, restlessness, quick and feeble pulse, and heavy or 

 sighing respiration; the surface of the burnt part, if destroyed, will become 

 pale and leathery, the hair coming off in patches, leaving a denuded sur- 

 face, from which issues a thin serous discharge. Swelling of the part now 

 appears, and in about four or five days a line of demarcation surrounds 

 the dead part; the chasm widens, the burnt portion contracts and dries, 

 leaving the exposed granulating surface full in view; the granulations 



