A drop or two of this may be let fall into the eye three times a day.
Electricity is recommended in the cure of this kind of inflammation; but this, as well as heat, are doubtful remedies; for both seem to increase actions without changing them, except in so far as the change depends upon an increased degree. Cold, on the other hand, lessens the power of recovery, if carried to any great degree; but, when slight, it assists the operation of other remedies, by lessening the performance of the existing action, which is morbid. All applications, therefore, ought in general to be a little below the temperature of the part.
Whenever an inflammation does not manifest a tendency to any other termination, but continues stationary, or perhaps becomes worse, under the use of the remedies which we employ for the cure of the inflammatio valida, we may consider that this action (or the inflammatio assuefacta) has taken place, and that the nature of our applications must be changed. Bark and wine, with anodynes, may be given internally, whilst, if the situation of the part permit, suitable applications must be made to it. By continuing this treatment, we frequently resolve the inflammatio assuefacta; but, occasionally, it becomes again converted into the true acute inflammation, in which case the continuance of the same remedies will do hurt. The appropriate local remedies, such as cold, saturnine preparations, &c. must be had recourse to, if the part be external, whilst, if the pulse become hard, and more frequent, or fuller, general remedies, such as bleeding in small quantity, may be useful; but both local and general remedies must be used with moderation, and pushed only a certain length, otherwise we defeat our intention, and again speedily induce the inflammatio assuefacta, by interfering with the powers of recovery. If this happen, we must again have recourse to the proper remedies.
DISSERTATION III.
On the Phagedenic, and some other Species of Specific Inflammation.
When any peculiar modification of the inflammatory action takes place, specific inflammation is said to be produced; that is to say, the action possesses some peculiar or specific qualities, independent of the simple condition of inflammation; and these are generally productive of evident and visible effects, which are characteristic of their presence; but, until these effects, which are chiefly observable in the appearance of the consequent ulceration, appear, it is frequently impossible, from the symptoms of the inflammation alone, to say that it is specific; because the evident effects, or symptoms of the inflammatory action, such as heat, pain, redness, &c. admit of few specific alterations, varying only in degree, and this variation taking place often without any specific affection of the action[75].
The effects of the ulcerative action admit of greater variations than those of the inflammatory, and, therefore, more readily show the presence of specific action. The healthy ulcerative action exhibits certain appearances which have been already described, and which are easily known. The simple deviations which have been treated of, in considering the different genera of ulcers, are also discoverable by the effects, or peculiar symptoms. The specific deviations dependent upon the presence of previous specific inflammation, or the application of a morbid agent, after simple ulceration has been induced, may also, in many cases, be detected and ascertained, by the variations which take place in the aspect of the sore, the appearance of the granulations, discharge, &c.; but these variations and appearances consist so much in peculiar hues and qualities of the granulations, which we have no words to convey an idea of, that it is impossible to give an accurate description of a specific sore, but must see it in order to obtain an idea of it. We may indeed say, that a sore is ragged, has a fiery look, is surrounded with an erysipelatous margin, and discharges a thin fœtid matter, but still we shall not convey the idea of the specific appearance of the ulcer.