162 



rNFLAMMATION. 



mentations increase the warmth of the skin, and open the pores 

 of It, and promote perspiration, and thus lessen the tension and 

 swelling of the part, assuage pain, and relieve inflammation. 

 Fomentations, to be beneficial, should be long and frequently 

 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 influence of 

 warmth and moisture for many hours or days without intermis- 

 sion, and perspiration being so long kept up, the distended 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, consequently, objec- 

 tionable. 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 poultice, for, if properly made, it will remain 

 moist during may hours. 



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

 application is to be used, and no general rule can be laid down, 

 except that in cases of superficial inflammation, and in the early 

 stage, cold lotions will be preferable ; but, when the inflammation 

 is deeper seated, or fully established, warm fomentations will be 

 most serviceable. 



Stimulating applications are frequently used in local inflam- 

 mation. When the disease is deeply seated, a stimulating apph- 

 cation to the skin will cause some irritation and inflammation 

 there, and lessen or sometimes remove the original malady : 

 hence the use o£ rowels and blisters in inflammation of the 

 chest. Inflammation to a high degree, cannot exist in parts that 

 are near each other. If we can excite it in one, we shall abate 

 it in the other, and also, by the discharge which we estabhsb 

 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 recent sprain, hot and 

 tender. Many a horse has been ruined by this absurd treatment. 

 When the heat and tenderness have disappeared by the use of 

 cold lotions or fomentations, and the leg or sprained part remains 

 enlarged, or bony matter threatens to be deposited, it might be 

 right to excite inflammation of the skin by a blister, in order to 

 rouse the deeper-seated absorbents to action, and enable them to 

 take up this deposit ; but, except to hasten the natural process 



