Inflammation 157 
prominent, and this form is often more difficult to 
deal with. 
One of the first signs of inflammation is redness of 
the part. This is particularly noticeable in animals 
having a white skin. The color is caused by dilation of 
the blood-vessels, which allows an increased flow of 
blood to the part. This condition is commonly known 
as “congestion.” Care must be taken not to confound 
this active congestion with the settling of blood in 
dependent parts at death (hypostatic congestion). In 
making examinations after death, one frequently finds 
the lung on the lower side of the body gorged with 
blood, a result of gravity. (See page 120). Congestion 
may occur without inflammation; but congestion always 
attends acute inflammation as one of its symptoms. 
Another symptom of inflammation is increased 
heat. This can usually be discovered by applying 
the hand to the part. In case the inflammation is 
severe or extensive, or affects an important organ 
of the body, the increased temperature may involve 
the whole body, causing what is generally known 
as a “fever.” Other symptoms of inflammation are 
swelling and pain. The pain is usually indicated by 
the uneasiness of the animal, or by its “resting” or 
taking all weight and strain from the part. Manipu- 
lation may increase the pain to such an extent that 
its seat is easily and definitely located. 
The thing to be done in treating inflamination is to 
remove the cause or irritant, as soon as this can be 
determined. In many cases this is all that is necessary. 
If the inflammation is severe and causes much pain, 
