140 
EDITORIAL. 
use of compresses of alcohol and their effects in veterinary path¬ 
ology. 
The local effects of those compresses are very well marked, 
characterized as they are by an energetic, active congestion, with 
abundant serous transudation and an increase in the vitality of the 
cells. From those effects numerous indications in veterinary 
medicine are presented in the conclusions: 
1. Alcoholic compresses generally give as good results in 
veterinary as in human medicine. 
2. They have a specific action against phlegmons which, if 
treated at once, are always resorbed, and when the inflammatory 
process is fatally followed by necrosis, alcoholic compresses accel¬ 
erate the suppurative progress, localize the gangrene and pro¬ 
mote the secretion of a liquid pus. 
3. With cutaneous necrosis, the alcoholic local treatment 
hastens the formation of an isolating furrow and the sloughing 
of the necrosed part; at the same time it stimulates the cicatriza¬ 
tion, which is more rapid. 
4. These compresses are very efficacious in diseases of the 
withers, the inflammatory phenomena of the beginning being 
quickly reduced and sometimes radically arrested, and if necrosis 
sets in, the slough and the cicatrization take place more rapidly. 
5. With aseptic inflammation (peritonitis, acute arthritis, 
fractures, tendonitis and tendinous synovitis) the application of 
alcoholic compresses is not altogether particularly indicated, but 
they contribute to the recovery. 
6. Alcohol acts directly upon cold oedemas and promotes 
their resorption. 
7. Compressive alcoholic bandages surely prevent necrotic 
inflammation such as those sometimes observed with injections of 
cocaine-adrenaline. 
8. Infected wounds do not suppurate when dressed with 
alcohol, but if this is absolute alcohol, the repairing work will be 
arrested. 
9. With well-bred and irritable horses, alcohol gives some- 
