160 THE HOESE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



developing inflammation, which may be overcome by the bacteri- 

 cidal substances of the body before much damage is done. 



The kinds of inflammation depend upon the character of the 

 exudate produced. The simplest kind is a serous inflammation, 

 in which a watery exudate like the contents of a water-blister is 

 formed. A suppurative inflammation is accompanied by the for- 

 mation of pus; a good example is an abscess. A productive or 

 proliferative inflammation is the kind most common in bone tissue, 

 like ringbone and spavin growths. Croupous and diphtheric in- 

 flammations occur on mucous membranes. 



The course of inflammation is determined by the rapidity and 

 intensity of the process in the inflamed tissue, and may be either 

 acute, subacute, or chronic. 



The symptoms of inflammation are heat, redness, swelling, 

 and pain. Heat is mostly due to an increase in the amount of 

 blood flowing through the part. Redness is observable only in 

 white-skinned animals, and is due to more blood than normal in 

 the part; however, inflamed mucous surfaces in all animals readily 

 show it. Swelling is the result of the same cause plus the inflam- 

 matory exudate or fluid which oozes out of the blood-vessels to 

 bathe the tissues. Pain results from undue pressure on the sensi- 

 tive nerves. 



The treatment of inflammation should be directed toward 

 assisting the body in its endeavors in removing the irritant cause. 

 In case the inflammation is of an aseptic nature, treatment will be 

 largely symptomatic. When sepsis is present the mode of pro- 

 cedure must be varied to suit the particular case. Local remedies 

 for the treatment of inflainmation are rest, heat, cold, massage, 

 counterirritants, and antiseptics. 



Rest is most important, for it involves removal of the irritant. 

 It also supports the action of other remedies. 



Heat is indicated only in cases where no bacterial infection is 

 present. It stimulates the circulation, and thus promotes the 

 absorption of the exudate and hastens the elimination of the waste 

 products. Under the influence of heat the tissues relax, so that 

 pressure is taken off the sensitive nerves and pain is relieved. 



Cold is useful in the first stages of acute inflammation and in 

 septic conditions. It contracts the tissues and lessens the vitality 

 of the part. No fixed rules can be laid down for its application. 

 In practice cold is used in the form of cold water or ice-packs. 



