470 



answer tlie same purpose. The latter is especially applicable to in- 

 flammatory troubles iu the air passages. 



(c) Local bleedinrj. — This treatment frequently aifords immediate re- 

 lief by carrying off the excessive blood and draining the effusion which 

 has already occurred. It affords direct mechanical relief, and, by a 

 stimulation of the part, promotes the chemical changes necessary for 

 bringing the diseased tissues to a heaUby condition. Local blood let- 

 ting can be done by scarifying, or making small punctures into the 

 inflamed part, as in the eyelid of an inflamed eye, or into the sheath of 

 the penis, or iuto the skin of the latter organ when congested, or the 

 leg when acutely swelled. This treatment, however, is frequently very 

 advantageous in the toe of the foot in acute founder 5 leeches, cups, 

 etc., are rarely applicable in veterinary practice. 



Counter irriti}nts are used for deep inflammations. They act by 

 bringing the blood to the surface and consequently lessening the blood 

 pressure within. The derivation of the blood to the exterior diminishes 

 the amount iu the internal organs and is often almost miraculous iu its 

 action in relieving a congested lung or liver. The most common coun- 

 ter irritant is mustard flour. It is applied as a soft paste raixed with 

 warm water to the under surfaee of the belly and to the sides where 

 the skin is comparatively soft and vascular. Colds in the throat or 

 inflammations at any point demand the treatment applied in tlie same 

 manner to the belly and sides and not to the throat or on the legs, as 

 so often used. Blisters, iodine, and many other irritants are used in 

 the same waj-. 



Constitutional treatment iu inflammation is designed to reduce the 

 current of blood, which is the fuel for the iuflainmatiou in the diseased, 

 part, to quiet the patient and to combat the fever or general effects of 

 the trouble iu the system. It consists of: 



Reduction of Mood. — This is obtained in various ways. The diminu- 

 tion of the quantity of blood lessens the amount of pressure on the 

 vessels, and, as a sequel, the volume of it which is carried to the point 

 of inflammation ; it diminishes the body temperature or fever ; it numbs 

 the nervous system, which plays an important part as a conductor of 

 irritation in diseases. 



Bloodletting is the most rapid means, and frequently acts like a charm 

 in relieving a commencing inflammatory trouble. The class of horses 

 and cattle in which this mode of treatment is indicated usually tolerates 

 the loss of a considerable quantity of blood without inconvenience and 

 recuperates from the loss rajjidly. 



Cathartics act by drawing off a large quantity of fluid from the blood 

 through the intestines, and have the advantage over the last remedy 

 of removing only the watery and not the formed elements from the cir- 

 culation. The blood cells remain, leaving the blood as rich as it was 

 before. Again, the glands of the intestines are stimulated to excrete 

 much waste matter and other deleterious material which may be acting 

 as a poison in the blood. 



