Inflammation and f&oer. 



21 



perature without decreasing the force of the circulation or 

 affecting the blood injuriously. If there is any indication 

 of a special depressing poison in the system, or of the ab- 

 sorption of septic or other noxious matter from a wound, 

 antiseptics (hydrochloric acid, or salicylic acid, sulphite of 

 soda, quinia, or chlorate of potassa) may be advantageously 

 added to the prescription. 



In these cases of asthenic inflammation, as in the ad- 

 vanced and debilitated stages of sthenic inflammation, the 

 diet should be as good as the patient can digest. Boiled 

 oats, barley, or flaxseed, rich, well-boiled gruels, and beef- 

 tea (even for herbivora) may frequently be resorted to with 

 advantage. 



Local Treatment of Inflam,m,ation. In all forms of 

 superficial inflammation the local treatment occupies an 

 important place. The persistent application of cold (cold 

 water in a stream, ice-bags, freezing mixtni'es) will some- 

 times overcome the tendency to inflammation or arrest 

 it. This is especially sought when a violent inflamma- 

 tion (as in a wounded joint) threatens to destroy an im- 

 portant organ. If adopted it must be persisted in, as if 

 it is suspended too soon the reaction is likely to make 

 matters woi-se than ever. Cold astringent applications 

 have a similar tendency. Sngar-of-lead, one-half ounce; 

 laudanum, one ounce ; water, one quart, may be kept ap- 

 plied by means of a linen bandage. The water may often 

 be advantageously replaced by extract of wych-hazel. If 

 there is an exposed surface the lotion may be made slightly 

 antiseptic (carbolic acid, one dram ; or sulphurous acid 

 solution, five ounces; water, one quart). Hot applica- 

 tions, fomentations, poultices are nearly always appro- 

 priate, and when adopted should, like cold ones, be kept up 

 as continuously as possible. These soothe alike tlie super- 

 ficial and deeper parts, the latter through sympathy, pro- 

 ducing first a relaxation of vessels and tissues, and later » 



