INTRODUCTION. 53 



It remains only for us here to state that febrile com- 

 plications of inflammation will be subsequently noticed, 

 and that inflammation is sometimes induced as a prophy- 

 lactic means^ as when a seton is inserted in the dewlap of 

 young cattle as a preventive against "black quarter." 



Congestion requires treatment directed to the removal 

 of causes, such as relaxation of arteries or impediment 

 to return of blood through veins. Often a local stimulant 

 will remove any tendency to stagnation, while astringents, 

 such as cold water, will cause tonic contraction of the 

 previously passively-relaxed vessels. When the conges- 

 tion is due to weakness of constitution, tonics must be 

 prescribed. Often it is necessary to palliate the accumu- 

 lation of blood by scarifications, phlebotomy, or applica- 

 tion of equable pressure to the part. An elevated posture 

 will prove beneficial. Moisture with warmth may lead 

 to removal of congestion by causing the vessels to relieve 

 themselves by serous effusion. 



H/^MOREHAGE, when traumatic, must be treated as here- 

 after described. When due to blood disease, and occur- 

 ring as petechias and haemorrhagic infarctions, they must 

 be deemed of minor importance as secondary to the 

 general disorder of the blood. The other form of passive 

 haemorrhage, that due to debility, must be treated by 

 strengthening the patient ; and in active haemorrhage we 

 must reduce plethora and tendency to congestions by less 

 food and more exercise, and also laxative and diuretic 

 agents. Local astringent applications, as cold water, act 

 as styptics, restraining haemorrhage. Certain medicinal 

 substances, when administered internally, are considered 

 haemostatic, as oleum terebinthinae. 



Dropsy will disappear with the congestive or inflam- 

 matory state from which it originated. The process may 

 be promoted by stimulating the water excreting organs, 

 kidneys, and skin ; also such agents as lessen blood 

 pressure promote absorption; digitalis is one of the 

 best. If the supply of fluid for drinking purposes be 

 limited, effused fluids will be taken up to maintain the 

 due liquidity of the blood. Iodine and its compounds are 



