Inflammation 157 



prominent, and this form is often more dififlcult 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 ease 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 inflammation is to 

 remove the cause or irritant, as soon as this can be 

 determined. In many eases this is all that is necessary. 

 If the inflammation is severe and causes much pain, 



