INTRODUCTION. 49 



of one excretory organ for that of another is vicarious 

 activity. Agents which, when administered internally, 

 counteract inflammation, are termed antiphlogistics. 

 Many of them act by promoting vicarious secretion, 

 whereby the blood is purified; also in doing so they act 

 as derivatives. There is a marked determination of blood 

 towards a part suffering from inflammation, and a corre- 

 spondingly diminished supply to other parts of the body. 

 Our efforts must be directed to the diffusion of nervous 

 energy which controls vaso- motor activity, so we resort 

 to general stimulants, clothing, hand rubbing of limbs, 

 and stimulating applications to the surface. It has been 

 long recognised that when blisters applied to the surface 

 of the body during internal acute inflammation act freely 

 it is a favorable sign. We must look upon it as a proof 

 of diffusion of nervous energy and blood which previously 

 had been accumulated in the affected part. Derivatives 

 assist in the process of diffusion. The excess of blood is 

 removed from the zone of congestion and simple hyperaemia 

 around the part where stasis has occurred, and thus the 

 disease limited in its extent. The same effect results 

 from certain modifications injposture, and from bloodletting. 

 Certain agents have been extolled as especially efficacious 

 in cases of severe inflammation, either by producing 

 changes in the blood or by their action upon the heart. 



Mercuky, as calomel, acts on numerous secretory organs, 

 and is correspondingly valuable as a means of purifica- 

 tion of blood which is over-loaded with inflammatory 

 debris ; also it is considered to check or prevent plastic 

 deposit. It is a debilitating agent of a very powerful 

 kind, and so is often contra-indicated. 



PoTASsio- TARTRATE OF ANTIMONY is Considered valuable 

 in reducing the hearths action as does bleeding, but having 

 the advantage of it being permissible to administer it 

 several consecutive times. 



Digitalis also controls the heart's action, but it is cumu- 

 lative, and thus requires very careful watching. It pro- 

 duces intermittency of the heart. 



Opium is valuable " in various ways ; by quieting the 



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