INFLAMMATION. 243 



The means of abating external inflammation are various, and seemingly 

 contradictory. The heat of the part very naturally and properlv led to the 

 application of cold embrocations and lotions. Heat has a strong tendency to 

 equalize itself, or to leave that substance which has a too great quantity 

 of it, or little capacity to retain it, for another which has less of it, or more 

 capacity. Hence the advantage of cold applications, by which a great deal 

 of the unnatural heat is speedily abstracted from the inflamed part. The foot, 

 labouring under inflammation is put into cold water, or the horse is made 

 to stand in water or wet clay. Various cold applications are also used to 

 sprains. The part is wetted with diluted vinegar, or goulard, or salt and water. 

 When benefit is derived from these applications, it is to be attributed to their 

 coldness alone. Water, especially when cooled below the natural tempera- 

 ture, is as good an application as any that can be used. Nitre dissolved in 

 water, will lower the temperature of the fluid many degrees ; but the lotion 

 must be applied immediately after the salt has been dissolved. A bandage 

 may be afterwards applied to strengthen the limb, but during the continuance 

 of active inflammation, it would only confine the heat of the part, or prevent 

 it from benefiting by the salutary influence of the cold produced by the evapo- 

 ration of the water. 



Sometimes, however, we resort to warm fomentations, and if benefit is 

 derived from their use, it is to be traced to the warmth of the fluid, more than to 

 any medicinal property in it. Warm water will do as much good to the horse, 

 who has so thick a skin, as any decoction of chamomile, or marsh-mallow, or 

 poppy heads, or any nostrum that the farrier may recommend. Fomentations 

 increase the warmth of the skin, and open the pores of it, and promote perspi- 

 ration, and thus lessen the tension and swelling of the part, assuage pain, and 

 relieve inflammation. Fomentations, to be beneficial, should be long and fre- 

 quently applied, and at as great a degree of heat as can be used without giving the 

 animal pain. Poultices are more permanent, or longer-continued fomentations. 

 The part is exposed to the influenee of warmth and moisture for many hours 

 or days without intermission, and perspiration being so long kept up, the dis- 

 tended vessels will be very materially relieved. The advantage derived from a 

 poultice is attributable to the heat and moisture, which, by means of it, can be 

 long applied to the skin, and it should be composed of materials which will 

 best retain this moisture and heat. The bran poultice of the farrier is, conse- 

 quently, objectionable. It is never perfectly in contact with the surface of the 

 skin, and it becomes nearly dry in a few hours, after which it is injurious 

 rather than beneficial. Linseed-meal is a much better material for a poul- 

 tice, for, if properly made, it will remain moist during many hours. 



It is occasionally very difficult to decide when a cold or a hot application is 

 to be used, and no general rule can be laid down, except that in cases of super- 

 ficial inflammation, and in the early stage, cold lotions will be preferable ; but, 

 when the inflammation is deeper seated, or fully established, warm fomenta- 

 tions will be most serviceable. 



Stimulating applications are frequently used in local inflammation. When 

 the disease is deeply seated, a stimulating application to the skin will cause some 

 irritation and inflammation there, and lessen or sometimes remove the original 

 malady ; hence the use of rowels and blisters in inflammation of the chest. In- 

 flammation to a high degree, cannot exist in parts that are near each other. If we 

 excite it in one, we shall abate it in the other, and also, by the discharge which 

 we establish from the one, we shall lessen the determination of blood to the other. 



Stimulating and blistering applications should never be applied to a part 

 already inflamed. A fire is not put out by heaping more fuel upon it. Hence 

 the mischief which the farrier often does by rubbing his abominable oils on a 



