490 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



inflammation is more liable to reappear in a previously inflamed part 

 than in a sound one. The alternate termination is necrosis, or morti- 

 fication. If the necrosis, or death of a part, is gradual, by small 

 stages, each cell losing its vitality after the other in more or less 

 rapid succession, it takes the name of ulceration. If it occurs in a 

 considerable part at once, it is called gangrene. If this death of the 

 tissues occurs deep in the organism, and the destroyed elements and 

 proliferated and dead cells are inclosed in a cavity, the result of the 

 process is called an abscess. When it occurs on a surface, it is an 

 ulcer, and an abscess by breaking on the exterior becomes then also 

 an ulcer. Proliferating and dying cells, and the fluid which exudes 

 from an ulcerating surface and the debris of broken-down tissue is 

 known as pus, and the process by which this is formed is known as 

 suppuration. A mass of dead tissue in a soft part is termed a slough, 

 while the same in bone is called a sequestrum. Such changes are 

 especially likely to occur when the part becomes infected with micro- 

 organisms that have the property of destroying tissue and thus caus- 

 ing the production of pus. These are known as pyogenic micro- 

 organisms. There are also bacilli that are capable of multiplying in 

 tissues and so irritating them as to cause them to die (necrose) with- 

 out forming pus. 



TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION. 



The study of the causes and pathological alterations of inflamma- 

 tion has shown the process to be one of hypernutrition, attended by 

 excessive blood supply, so this study will indicate the primary factor 

 to be employed in the treatment of it. 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 part, or they may be constitutional remedies, which act 

 indirectly. 



Local treatment consists of — 



Removal of the cause, as a stone in the frog, causing a traumatic 

 thrush ; a badly fitting 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. These causes, if 

 removed, will frequently allow the part to heal at once. 



Rest. — Motion stimulates the action of the blood, and thus feeds an 

 inflamed 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 food. Absolute quiet, a dark stable, and small quantities 

 of easily digested food will often cure serious inflammatory troubles 

 without further treatment. 



