INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 278 
have remained a comparatively simple inflammation is 
induced by the operation itself to terminate in the more 
complicated and serious condition of suppuration. 
Other means of combating the congested state of the 
membrane are principally those of local applications. 
With many veterinary surgeons warm poulticing is still 
largely advocated and practised. We do not believe in it. 
Warmth, as a means of removing local congestion, can only 
be successful when applied widely round the congested area, 
and so dilating surrounding bloodvessels and lymphatics. 
Applied to the congested area itself, and to that alone, it is 
almost worse than useless. 
With the foot, both around and below it, a surrounding 
area is denied us. The only vessels we are able to dilate 
with the warmth, and so enable them to carry off the fluid 
from the congested foot, are those in the limb above. That 
poulticing cannot be successfully there applied is self- 
evident. Apart from that, it is an open question whether 
poultices may not do actual harm in inducing suppuration 
in cases where, probably, it would not otherwise occur. 
For these reasons we hold to the opinion that when a 
local application is determined on it should be a cold one. 
Various methods of applying cold are in vogue. Cold swabs 
are perhaps most in favour. They must, however, be kept 
cold. When a suitable water-course, pond, or other expanse 
of shallow water is at hand, then the animal may be kept 
standing therein, or preferably walked about in it. When 
suitable apparatus is obtainable, a constant stream over each 
foot from a rubber hosepipe is most beneficial. 
Astringent baths, containing solutions of alum, of copper 
sulphate, of iron sulphate, or of common salt, or composed 
of a mixture of two or more of the salts mentioned, may 
algo be used with advantage. In addition to the fact that 
such solutions are for a time below the temperature of 
simple water, we have the advantage that they have also 
a more or less antiseptic property. 
While on the subject of the relief of the congestion, we 
must not forget to mention a treatment which we ourselves 
18 
