498 GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



and sloughing proceed but slowly under its retarding influence. Acute 

 abscess is converted into what might be logically termed a "cold abscess" 

 in the most literal sense of the word. Remotely, moderate cold applied 

 to the body for a short period actually increases general temperature by 

 stimulating reflexly the heat centresj increasing oxidation and lessening 

 radiation from the contracted superficial vessels. If cold is in contact 

 with the whole body for a longer time, the temperature gradually sinks 

 and the reduction continues for some hours when, in healthy animals, the 

 temperature rises above normal. Such effects are much more pronounced 

 in pyrexia. The action upon the nervous system is exceedingly important 

 therapeutically. The most powerful stimulating action is exerted upon 

 the centres of innervation co^itrolling the circulatory, respiratory, diges- 

 tive and excretory organs. In fever, this treatment invigorates the failing 

 digestive functions, relieves the nervous irritability by cooling the blood 

 going to the great nerve centres in the medulla, and strengthens and 

 stimulates the entire nervous organization. Cold applications and drinks 

 stimulate the circulation reflexly, increase blood tension, and, therefore, 

 the secretion of urine in fever, which is very important for the elimina- 

 tion of toxins. Locally, heat and cold are often used interchangeably in 

 medicine. In human practice it is a rule to be guided in the choice of 

 one or the other by the desire of and effect upon the patient, and this 

 should apply, as far as possible, in veterinary practice. Cold is employed, 

 locally, in congestions of superficial parts, and tends to abort inflamma- 

 tion and relieve pain. 



In meningitis, rubber ice bags or continual irrigation of the head 

 and spine are used. Laryngitis may be successfully treated by ice poul- 

 tices (cracked ice and sawdust in linen bags) or by thin rubber ice bags 

 surrounding the throat. In the same way are treated sprained tendons, 

 capped hocks, broken knees, recent curbs, and lymphangitis. In fact, 

 most superficial inflammatory surgical affections are benefited by cold 

 applications. Ice and ice water are useful in checking venous or capil- 

 lary hemorrhage, although hot water is often more serviceable. Cold 

 water enemata are valuable in atonic constipation, diarrhea, and to reduce 

 temperature in fever. In the uterus, ice in small lumps will arrest metror- 

 rhagia, and, in the rectum, aid in reducing prolapse. Ice bags, placed 

 along the spine over the sympathetic ganglia, will cause dilatation of 

 arterioles in regions corresponding to the point of application. 



Modes op Employing Cold Water. 



Ablution is the simplest method of applying water to the surface of 

 the body. It is merely bathing. Water at the temperature of 50° to 60° 

 F. is applied by a rough, coarse cloth. The water is thrown on in con- 

 siderable quantities, beginning with the head and going rapidly over the 

 neck, trunk and limbs successively, rubbing the skin briskly all the while 

 with the cloth. Two attendants are required for the application of an 

 ablution to the larger animals. The patient is finally dried and warmly 

 blanketed. The process may be repeated each half hour in fever, or twice 

 daily as a tonic measure in chronic diseases. The rationale consists in the 

 stimulus afforded by the cold to the nervous system, accompanied by con- 



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