46 ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 



corpuscles of the blood itself, destroying them. In either case 

 blood-poisoning is said to have set in. 



Sometimes the affected part dies. This is said to be mor- 

 tification or gangrene in soft tissues, and necrosis in bone. 



The local signs of inflammation are redness of varying 

 degree, pain, swelling (except in bone), and heat. The gen- 

 eral symptoms are fever and loss of condition. In aggravated 

 cases the vital organs gradually suspend their function, and 

 death from exhaustion results. 



The treatment of inflammation is the same in principle 

 whatever be the part inflamed. Inflammation is hypernutri- 

 tion, attended by excessive blood-supply. Any agent which will 

 reduce the blood-supply and prevent the excessive nutrition of 

 the elements of the part will serve as a remedy. The means 

 employed may be used locally to the parts, or they may be con- 

 stitutional remedies, which act indirectly. 



In the treatment of sick horses, as in the treatment of ailing 

 human beings, the administration of drugs should be sparingly 

 resorted to by amateurs. Proper feeding and watering, cleanli- 

 ness and sanitation in stables, and careful nursing, will keep 

 veterinary bills down. 



Indiscriminate use of drugs is seldom beneficial or 

 economical. 



In all cases of inflammation, seek first to remove the 

 exciting cause. This may be some foreign substance, which 

 irritates the animal directly, or it may be some decomposing 

 substance, full of disease germs, in the stable. 



Rest is the next requisite. Motion induces an increased 

 flow of blood, and blood supplies the food for inflammation. 

 The patient should be in a darkened stall, free from noise or 

 anything that will excite him. 



Cold and hot applications reach the same end by opposite 

 means. Cold applications — ice-bags, cold bandages, fomenta- 

 tions, etc. — contract the blood-vegs^ls and soothe the nerves 

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