COLD AND HEAT 713 



or the effect upon tlie patient. As, for instance, in the case 

 of pueumouia, pleuritis, angina, and in checkiug hEsmorr- 

 hage. Heat may be utilized in simply preventing the natural 

 radiation of it from the body. Thus, simple, warm, dry 

 blankets, applied all over the surface of the body, may abort 

 catarrhal or rheumatic conditions by merely causing reten- 

 tion of fixe body heat, dilatation of the peripheral vessels 

 and equalization of the circulation. Covering a portion of 

 the skin with such dense preparations as tar, pitch or collo- 

 dion, in mild superficial inflammatory lesions, is said to 

 produce favorable results by restraining radiation and in- 

 creasing heat and blood supply in the part. Even thickened 

 tendons and indurated glands may be benefited thereby. 

 The Priessnitz poultice continuously applied has a similar 

 action. In vasomotor paralysis, seen in collapse, following 

 loss of blood or poisoning, and in shock due to traumatism 

 or surgical operation, heat is eminently a life-saving means. 

 In such conditions the loss of vascular tone and dilatation of 

 the vessels leads to dangerous, and even fatal, cooling of the 

 body. Heated dry blankets, or those wrung out in hot 

 water, should be applied to the larger animals, together with 

 hot rectal injections; while the smaller animals may be 

 placed in baths at the temperature of 105° F., till the tem- 

 perature becomes normal. Such treatment should be com- 

 bined with' the use of vascular and cardiac stimulants, 

 atropine, digitalis and strychnine, and saline infusions. 



MODES OF APPLYING HEAT. 



Poultices or Cataplasms* — Cataplasms are compositions 

 for the local application of heat and moisture. They are 

 made, commonly, of flaxseed meal, bran, oatmeal, bread, 

 potatoes and carrots. One or other of these is stirred up in 

 boiling water until a thick, pasty consistency is reached. 

 This mass may then be applied, while very hot, directly to 



« Cataplasma Kaolini (U. S. P.) consists of kaolin, or porcelain clay, and is 

 appl2d:£ externally as a poultice. It acts to retain the Ijody heat and is very 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



