INFLAMMATION PERTAINING.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 152, 8 June 1877, Page 6

IN FLAMMATION PERTAINING.

TO ZOOLOGY. — o _ (Continued). In my last paper I finished od with when inflammation was setup in a part it terminated in one of the following wny>, viz. :— Resolution, suppuration, ulceration, or mortification. I will try and deal with these separately. .Resolution. — This is the most favourable mode of termination in inliammation, and it is one we should always endeavour to effect. By resolution is meant a return of the part inflamed to i its proper state, without any alteration in its structure, and resolution can only take place where inflammation is moderate in degree, or if intense, when checked at an early stage. When resolution occurs, the pain diminishes, the redness becomes less marked, and the heat abates. The vessels assume their usual calibre ; the corpuscles move on and exhibit no tendency to adhere to each other; at length the swelling totally disappears, and the part resumes its ualural condition ; bub when a part has once been affected with inflammation, whether it terminate in resolution, suppuration, &c, it is liable to a recurrence through very trivial causes. Suppuration. — in this we have the i destruction of the tissue to a greater or less extent, and we have likewise the production of a morbid fluid called pus, which varries in its appearance and ; other propensities according to eireum- ; stances, so that various kinds have been i described, such as laudable, putrid, ; sarrious, &c. Laudable pus is a creamy, yellowish, bland fluid. Pus is but little liable to decomposition, nnd putrifms ; with difficulty, it is remarkable, however, that there are some parts in wliich, when pus is developed, it is nhvavs putrid, such as in abscesses of the gums and tonsils. Pus is called sarrious when it is of a watery constituency, and tinged with bibod, and scorfulous pus is usually of a watery appearance, butmixed with shreds of tissue and curdy material. With regard to fhe for inaction of' pus, there are only two tissues, according to Yirchew, which yield pus, these are Areola and EpetHelial tissue.'

It will therefore, be seen that when n i part suppurates, its structure is more or less destroyed/ and the tissue, converted into liquid pus. Tho destruction of the tissue is much moro marked when ulceration takes" place. Ulceration is a solution of continuity ofthe solid textures, by which puis are exposed to the atmosphere, and irom which a greater- or less discharge is thrown off. This discharge consists oi serum pus, and minute portions of tissue, in fact it may be defined tho death of a part. In this way larg-e portions of tissue are soon destroyed. Ulceration is apt to take place when tho part has been severely injured, or when the general powers of the constitution have been prostrated. When, however, the hurt has been severe extern 1 gangrene or mortification takes place. By mortification is meant the death of a part. It may be primary or seconI dary : primary when it is caused by an injury j secondary when it is the result, of intense inflammation. When it is extensive, or when it is of small extent but involves some important part, it gives rise to great constitutional disturbance, depressing the heart's action, and often ending fatally. Wi.en a partdies it acts as a foreign body to die tissue surrounding it, and like all foreign bodies, excites inflammation in the living texture, and as a result, suppuration of the part takes place immediately, in which the solid texture or dead tissue anc 1 pus or matter is found, on which, as it were, the dead tissue is floated ofl'. Treatment. — With regard to the treatment ol inflammation, I will not go into it in detail, as ie would occupy too much space, but 1 will offer a few general remarks. I may state in the first place that the treatment divides itself into constitutional and local. The constitutional consists in bleeding from a vein, and the administration of antiphlogisric remedies. Of these most commonly employed may be mentioned antimony, acourite, digitalis, opium, j mercury, and purgatives. Bleeding, in Professor Dick's time, was very extensively employed, but is now comparatively less resorted to. It is supposed by some that bleeding, as a g-eneral rule, is apt to do harm instead of good, aud wnen it is employed, only a moderate quantity is drawn off. But i agree with Principal Pearnly (late ot ' the Edinburgh Veterinary College), on inflammation, who says, bleeding, and that copiously, is the main treatment in inflammation of the internal organs. Bleeding, irom its greater facility and rapidity, is best performed in the jugular or neck vein, the point selected being about two inches below the angle of the jaw, a large-bladed flam being preferable, as the benefit of the operation is much increased by the rapidity wiih which it is drawn. From Bto 12 pints is a moderate bleeding in the horse or ox j irom 12 to Iq, or even 20 is a large one. But there is no rule, it must vary according to the case and sidll of the practitioner. With regard to local treatment, the first indication is to remove the cause, if it be a local one, and place the. part in a state of rest. Unless this be attended to the treatment must necessaiily be abortive When this has been removed, the application of cold at the first stage often moderates, and sometimes prevents ihe process from procepding further. Should the inflammation advance, however, the application of cold must be exchanged for that of heat. Heat, tends to relax the tissues, moderates the pain, and promotes the formation of pus, just as it promotes nil cell growth. As soon as matter bas formed in the part it should be allowed free egress by incision with the knife. As soon as tlm is effected the symptoms usually abate rapidly. The local abstraction of blood by means oi the scarificator and cupping o-Jass, is sometimes attended with beneficial effect in the early stage. Lastly, counterirritants in the form ot blisters, and the actual cautery, must be reckoned among tbe most efficacious local remedies which we possess. 'J 'hey act indirectly on the inflamed part, through the medium of the mrvous system, apparently causing' contraction of the distended Vessels of the iuflamed part. At the same time, by exciting an artificial inflammation at the seat oi' the application, they are of benefit, in many cases, iv directing tbe blood from the original seat of the inflammation to the artificial one set up in the skin. When the inflammation is local, limited in extent, and somewhat external, warm fomentations or poultices, which are a kiud of fomentation, or cold applications may each be applied with advantage according to circumstances. Fomentations open the pores ofthe skin, promote perspiration, and so lessen swelling- and tension, and assuage pain and .inflammation ; while cold applications promote evaporation, subdue inordinate action, and so assist in restoring health. Clean water is the best fomentation. It should be as hot as the hand can bear it, yet not hot enough to burn the animal. In fomenting the hor^e the groom rarely lias gob enough of water, and does not continue long enough to do any good j he should j foment at least: fbr half an hour, and keep tho water up to the temperature by adding- more. Poultices should be formed of those materials wliich best 'maintain heat and moisture, and they should be applied as warm as possibly, und can be safely borne. They are usmdly made of bran, turnips, or oatmeal porridge. Linseed meal alone ( makes, the best, of poultices, and some of it should always be added to the

other ingredients. Of cooling lotions, cold water is the best ; it may be made colder by adding a little salt or ice ; salammonjac may be added for the same purpose. The object is to reduce heat and promote evaporation. The constitutionab treatment must likewise be attended to ; there must be no stimulant, food given whatever j the sick horse's diet' consists of bran mashes, carrots, green meat, and hay ; gruel and tepid water his drink, which should be given sparingly and often. Thos. C. Harrison. Wairuna School, 4th Jnne, 1877.