234 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



veterinary medicine. They are applied as liniments, blisters, 

 or the actual cautery in the form of the firing iron, to hasten the 

 process and promote healing by transforming a chronic into an 

 acute inflammation. 



Antiseptics are valuable in treating septic inflammation. For 

 this purpose camphor, carbolic acid, and iodin are especially 

 recommended. (See wound treatment.) 



The termination of inflammation depends upon the amount of 

 injury to the tissues. When the irritant is removed and the in- 

 flammatory product is entirely absorbed, resolution follows and 

 the part fully regains its normal functions. The production of 

 new growths, adhesions between organs, and the retention of an 

 exudate in a cavity are other forms in which inflammation may 

 terminate, but they always interfere more or less with the func- 

 tional activities. In severe disturbances of the circulation gan- 

 grene or death of the tissues occurs. 



FEVER 



Fever, like inflammation, is to be regarded as a natural reaction 

 of the body designed for protection. It is a symptom of disease 

 rather than a specific affection. All infectious diseases are ushered 

 in with a rise in the body temperature, which makes this symptom 

 the most reliable guide for the diagnosis of diseases due to germs. 



The cause of fever is not definitely known. However, any 

 disturbance in the thermal nerve-center at the base of the brain 

 may result in elevation of the body temperature. This center is 

 not under the control of the will, but responds quickly to 

 every change in the surrounding temperature, as well as to in- 

 fluences arising within the body such as muscular activity and 

 nervous excitement. It harmonizes the forces for heat pro- 

 duction, heat dissipation, and heat regulation. When the products 

 of bacteria or the organisms themselves gain entrance to the 

 fluids of the body, they deaden the thermal center and pre- 

 vent it from functioning. Examples of infectious fevers are 

 those caused by the microorganisms of strangles and glanders. 

 In other cases fever occurs without the intervention of bacteria 

 from the resorption of products resulting from the disintegration 

 of blood, painful conditions, rheumatism, fatigue, and over- 

 heating. 



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