ON THERAPEUTICS. 
315 
the sedative lotion, although there is no objection to a larger 
proportion of aconite if a more decided effect be desired. 
From the opportunities we have had of testing the agent, we 
have every reason to recommend it to the Veterinary practi¬ 
tioner, as a remedy of great power in all disease, whether 
local or general, in which it may be necessary to diminish 
excitement. 
REFRIGERANTS. 
The ordinary temperature of the animal body is subject to 
very slight modification, according to thermometric experi¬ 
ments. In the most violent fever, the blood only indicates a 
few degrees of elevation, while under even the fatal effects of 
cold, very trifling loss of temperature is perceived. Notwith¬ 
standing the preservation of an almost uniform degree of heat 
in the interior of the organism, the surface undoubtedly 
suffers from change of temperature to a considerable extent, 
and occasions sensations of heat or cold proportioned to the 
amount of the disturbing influence. 
The causes which give rise to these alternations of tempe¬ 
rature are of two kinds, what we may term physical and vital; 
physical when the temperature of the part is changed, in 
consequence of the contact of a foreign body of a differ¬ 
ent temperature ; and vital when the alteration is consequent 
upon nervous and vascular action; the physical causes 
at first produce merely local effects, which, however, 
soon become general; if the causes continue to act for any 
lengthened period, the impression upon the extremities of the 
nerves is soon extended to the centres, from whence it is 
distributed to the entire body; thus hot or cold media in 
contact with the surface, or any part of it, occasion first a 
change of temperature in the part, and subsequently involve 
the system in the same general condition. Vital causes origi¬ 
nate from within, and frequently act independently of and 
even in opposition to external conditions. Anaemia, exhaus¬ 
tion, extensive congestion, and sphacelus, are associated with 
shiverings, which no surface-warmth can diminish ; while 
fever may be accompanied with heat that a freezing atmo¬ 
sphere would hardly suffice to decrease. 
The term ee cooling,” as applied to medicine, is popularly 
used in reference to agents belonging to various divisions ; 
thus among cathartics, the acid salts, as sulphate of magnesia, 
and soda, and bitartrate of potash ; among diuretics, the nitrate 
of potash ; and among diaphoretics, the diacetate of ammonia, 
have a refreshing effect upon the system, improving the secre- 
