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 counterirritant 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 
