Inflammation, Fever, Treatment. 71 



the less the pain, but the greater the danger of destruction of the 

 intervening skin by the excess of radiating heat. Hence the 

 contact of the heated iron with any one part must be judiciously 

 graduated to the heat of the iron and the delicacy of the skin, 

 and should not exceed the fraction of a second. 



Massagg, Rubbing. In chronic inflammation and even in some 

 acute forms, with considerable exudation, rubbing or massage is 

 of great value. It hastens the progress of the blood through the 

 veins, tends to restore the normal circulation in the stagnant or 

 partially obstructed capillaries, moves on the exuded liquids in 

 the lymphatic plexus, rendering the absorption more active, and 

 at once prevents the process of disintegration of the tissues and 

 obviates the necessity for their solution and removal. This may 

 be largely accomplished by the use of the brush or rubber, or by 

 careful manipulation especially in the direction of the veins. If 

 the inflammation is near the surface the use of antiseptic and 

 deobstruent agents will heighten the good effect. Iodoform, 

 iodide of potassium, boric acid may serve as examples. 



Suppuration. Abscess. The great variety of the causes and 

 forms of suppuration would forbid any extended notice of its 

 treatment in this place. It seems preferable to refer the reader 

 to the subject of pyaemia and the various surgical and medical 

 diseases in which suppuration takes place. 



