36 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



harness or saddle, causing ulcers of the skin; decomposing manure 

 and urine in a stable, which, by their vapors, irritate the air tubes 

 and lungs and cause a cough. 



Motion stimulates the action of the blood, and thus feeds an in- 

 flamed tissue. This is alike applicable to a diseased point irritated 

 by movement to an inflamed pair of lungs surcharged with blood 

 by the use demanded of them in a working animal, or to an inflamed 

 eye exposed to light, or an inflamed stomach and intestines still 

 further fatigued by feed. Rest, absolute quiet, a dark stable, and 

 small quantities of easily digested feed will often cure serious in- 

 flammatory troubles without further treatment. 



The application of ice bags or cold water by bandages, douching 

 with a hose, or irrigation with dripping water, contracts the blood 

 vessels, acts as a sedative to the nerves, and lessens the vitality of 

 a part; it consequently prevents the tissue change which inflamma- 

 tion produces. 



Either dry or moist heat acts as a derivative. It quickens the 

 circulation and renders the chemical changes more active in the sur- 

 rounding parts; it softens the tissues and attracts the current of 

 blood from the inflamed organ ; it also promotes the absorption of the 

 effusion and hastens the elimination of the waste products in the part. 

 Heat may be applied by hand rubbing or active friction and the ap- 

 plication of warm coverings (bandages) or by cloths wrung out of 

 warm water ; or steaming with warm, moist vapor, medicated or not, 

 will answer the same purpose. The latter is especially applicable to 

 inflammatory troubles in the air passages. 



Local bleeding frequently affords immediate relief by carrying 

 off the excessive blood and draining the effusion which has already 

 occurred. It affords direct mechanical relief, and, by a stimulation 

 of the part, promotes the chemical changes necessary for bringing 

 the diseased tissues to a healthy condition. Local blood-letting can 

 be done by scarifying, or making small punctures into the inflamed 

 part, as in the eyelid of an inflamed eye, or into the sheath of the 

 penis, or into the skin of the latter organ when congested, or the 

 leg when acutely swelled. 



Counterirritants are used for deep inflammations. They act by 

 bringing the blood to the surface and consequently lessening the 

 blood pressure within. The derivation of the blood to the exterior 

 diminishes the amount in the internal organs and is often very rapid 

 in its action in relieving a congested lung or liver. The most com- 

 mon coimterirritant is mustard flour. It is applied as a soft paste 

 mixed with warm water to the under surface of the belly and to the 

 sides, where the skin is comparatively soft and. vascular. . Colds in 

 the throat or inflammations at any point demand the treatment ap- 

 plied in the same manner to the belly and sides and not to the throat 



