469 



the other in more or less rapid succession, it takes the name of tdeera- 

 tion. If it occurs in a considerable part at once, it is called gangrene. 

 If this death of the tissues occurs deep in the organism, and the de- 

 stroyed elements and proliferated 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 ulcer, and an abscess by breaking ou tbe 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 suppuratio7i. A mass of dead tissue in a soft part is termed 

 a slough, while the same in bone is called a sequestrum. 



Treatment <if inflammation. — The study of the cause and pathological 

 alterations of inflammation has shown the process to be one of hy{)er- 

 nutrition, attended by excessive blood snpply, so this study will indi- 

 cate the primary factor to be employed in the treatment of it. Any 

 agent which will reduce the blood supply and prevent the excessive 

 nutrition of the elements of the part will serve as a remedy. The 

 means employed maybe used locally to the part, or they may be consti- 

 tutional remedies, which act indirectly. 



Local treatment consists of: 



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

 thrush 5 a badly fitting harness or saddle, causing ulcers of the skin; 

 decomposing manure and urine in a stable, whicli, by their vapors, irri- 

 tate the air tubes and lungs and cause a cough. These causes, if re- 

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



{b) Best. — Motion stimulates the action of the blood, and thus feeds 

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

 by movement, to an intlamed pair of lungs surcharged with blood by 

 the use demandetl of them in a working animal, or to an inflamed eye 

 exposed to light, or an inflamed stomach and intestines still further 

 fatigued by .^ood. Absolute quiet, a dark stable, and small quantities 

 of easily digested food will often cure serious intlammatory troubles 

 without farther treatment. 



(c) Cold. — The application of ice bags or cold water by bandages, 

 douching with a hose, or irrigation with dripping water, contracts the 

 bloodvessels, acts as a sedative to the nerves and lessens the vitality 

 of a part; it consequently prevents the tissue change which inflamma- 

 tion produces. 



(d) Heat — Either dry or moist heat acts as a derivative. It quick- 

 ens the circulation and renders the chemical changes more active in the 

 surrounding parts; it softens the tissues and attracts the current of 

 blood from the inflamed organ ; it also promotes the absorption of the 

 effusion and hastens the elimination of the waste products in the part. 

 Heat may be applied by hand rubbing or active friction and tlie ap- 

 plication of warm coverings ^bandages), or by cloths wrung out of 

 warm water, or steaming with warm moist vapor, medicated or not, will 



