INFLAMMATION.
Inflammation consists of an increased flow of the blood to and through the parts. The proper mode of abating which is to lessen the quantity of blood—if we take away the fuel, the fire will go out—all other means are comparatively unimportant contrasted with bleeding. Blood is generally extracted from the jugular vein, so that the general quantity may be lessened, but if it can be taken from the neighborhood of the diseased part, it will be productive of tenfold benefit: one quart of blood extracted from the foot in acute founder, will do more good than five quarts taken from the general circulation; an ounce of blood obtained by scarifying the swollen vessels of the inflamed eye, will give as much relief to that organ as a copious bleeding from the jugular. This is a principle in the animal’s nature which should never be lost sight of; hence the necessity for bleeding early and largely in inflammation of the lungs, or of the bowels, or of the brain, or of any important organ. Many horses are lost for want of, or insufficiency in bleeding, but we never knew of one being materially injured by the most copious extraction of blood.
It is very difficult to decide when a cold or hot application is to be used, and no general rule can be laid down, except that in cases of inflammation in the early stages, cold will be preferable, but when the inflammation is deeper seated or fully established, warm fomentations will be found most serviceable. Stimulating applications are frequently used in local inflammation. When the disease is deeply seated, a stimulating application to the skin will cause some irritation and inflammation there, and lessen or remove the malady; hence the use of rowels and blisters in inflammation of the chest. If we excite it in one, we shall abate it in the other,—and also, by the discharge which we establish from the one, we shall lessen the determination of the other. Stimulating and blistering applications should never be applied to a part that is already inflamed. A fire will not go out by heaping more fuel upon it; hence the mischief which is often done by rubbing those abominable oils on a recent sprain, hot and tender. Many a horse has been ruined by this absurd treatment, when the heat and tenderness have disappeared by the use of cold lotions or fomentations. When the leg or sprained part remains enlarged long or matter threatens to be deposited, it may be right to excite inflammation of the skin by a blister, in order to rouse the deeper seated absorbants to action and enable them to take up this deposit; but, except to hasten the natural process and effects of inflammation, a blister or stimulating application should never be applied to a part already inflamed.