716 GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



stould be applied for a considei-able length of time — one 

 half hour at least — and be followed by drying and bandag- 

 ing. Fomentations reduce swelling and pain, and hasten 

 repair in bruises, strains and local inflammatory lesions. 

 I Injections of hot water are employed to cleanse wounds, 

 stop bleeding and relieve pain and spasm. Injections may" 

 be thrown into the rectum or vagina at a temperature of 

 115° to 120° F. In the Vagina, hot water may stop post- 

 partum hsemorrhage, pain and congestion in the pelvis, by 

 producing uterine contractions, and atonic constriction of 

 vessels in neighboring parts, which lasts for several hours 

 following its use. Hot rectal injections (115° F.) subdue 

 abdominal and pelvic pain or spasm, as intestinal or renal 

 colic and spasm of the neck of the bladder. The heat per se 

 in such injections, may be invaluable in shock and collapse 

 as noted above. 



The water may either be led off through a rubber tube, 

 from a stop-cock in a pail or reservoir, placed a few feet 

 above the patient, or else siphonage may be done off-hand 

 through a bit of sra all-sized hose. Having hung a pail filled 

 with water three or four feet above the patient, the hose is 

 filled with water, and, closing the ends to keep it full, the 

 upper part is put in the pail, while the lower, smooth and 

 greased, is passed into the rectum or vagina ; or water may 

 be poured through a large tin funnel into the upper end of 

 the tube. The ordinary fountain syringe is the best appa- 

 ratus for smaller animals. 



Dry Heat may be applied by means of hot blankets, hot 

 water bags, hot salt or sand in cloth bags, a flatiron or hot, 

 wet cloths between waterproof coverings. Dry heat is often 

 preferable to moist heat for simply relieving pain and con- 

 gestion, as animals are less apt to become chilled by drafts 

 and evaporation from the surface afterwards. It is gener- 

 ally more difficult to obtain, however. 



Inhalations of plain or medicated steam are given for 

 their local effect on the mucous membranes of the upper air 

 passages. The moist heat has a soothing action on tht 



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