INFLAMMATOEY AFFECTIONS 273 



have remained a comparatively simple inflammation is 

 induced by the operation itself to terminate in the more 

 com^Dlicated and serious condition of suppuration. 



Other means of combating the congested state of the 

 membrane are principally those of local applications. 

 With many veterinary surgeons warm poulticing is still 

 largely advocated and practised. We do not believe in it. 

 Warmth, as a means of removing local congestion, can only 

 be successful when applied icidely round the congested area, 

 and so dilating surrounding bloodvessels and lymphatics. 

 Applied to the congested area itself, and to that alone, it is 

 almost worse than useless. 



With the foot, both around and below it, a surrounding 

 area is denied us. The only vessels we are able to dilate 

 with the warmth, and so enable them to carry off the fluid 

 from the congested foot, are those in the limb above. That 

 poulticing cannot be successfully there applied is self- 

 evident. Apart from that, it is an open question whether 

 poultices may not do actual harm in inducing suppuration 

 in cases where, probably, it would not otherwise occur. 



For these reasons we hold to the opinion that when a 

 local application is determined on it should be a cold one. 

 Various methods of applying cold are in vogue. Cold swabs 

 are perhaps most in favour. They must, however, be kept 

 cold. When a suitable water-course, pond, or other expanse 

 of shallow water is at hand, then the animal may be kept 

 standing therein, or preferably walked about in it. When 

 suitable apparatus is obtainable, a constant stream over each 

 foot from a rubber hosepipe is most beneficial. 



Astringent baths, containing solutions of alum, of copper 

 sulphate, of iron sulphate, or of common salt, or composed 

 of a mixture of two or more of the salts mentioned, may 

 also be used with advantage. In addition to the fact that 

 such solutions are for a time below the temperature of 

 simple water, we have the advantage that they have also 

 a more or less antiseptic property. 



While on the subject of the relief of the congestion, we 

 must not forget to mention a treatment which we ourselves 



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