388 SUPPURATION. GREASE, [BOOK II. 



directed in cases of critical abscess, in poll-evil, fis- 

 tula, &c. The whole series of these diseases are of 

 the same nature, but differing principally as to situ- 

 ation, which sometimes affects the disease mainly. 

 In this case, for example, the swelling sometimes 

 ascends along the throat, and goes nigh to choke 

 the patient : recourse must be had immediately to 

 poultices, and let these be changed twice a day. 

 The modes of bandaging may be learnt by consult- 

 ing the sketches given at pages 226, 816, 336, 357. 



GREASE. 



. Causes. — This is another of the diseases that 

 take their rise in a tardy circulation of the blood, 

 and consequent indisposition to take up and carry 

 back again to the heart that which has been sent 

 into the extremities for their nourishment and re- 

 novation. In Book I. at bottom of section 44, this 

 process of taking up, or absorption, is spoken of, 

 whilst the few pages that are there bestowed on 

 the manner in which the circulation is carried on, 

 show the importance of this function, and point 

 out the principles that should guide us in promot- 

 ing it, when aught has occurred to retard its action. 

 When great age and consequent lethargic habits 

 cause the blood to circulate slowly, our art can but 

 ill supply the remedy, though the evil may certainly 

 be alleviated by stimulants. Thus, a small portion 

 of beans given to aged horses admirably assist the 

 heat of the circulation of such, especially towards 

 the heels, whilst this very species of food given to 



