Treatment of Inflammation and its Results. — The general principles of the treatment consist in — ist, moderating the force of the circulation; 2nd, in reducing the temperature, and causing contraction of the loaded small vessels; and, 3rd, in removing the effects of inflammation. The first indication is effected by depletion, or by medicines which affect the force of the heart's action. Depletion is effected by bleeding from a vein, by cupping and by leeching. The last of these is the only means of depletion that can be employed by a non-pro- fessional person; and is, indeed, almost the only means that is adopted even by professional persons. Venesection, or bleed- ing from the arm, is now so nearly exploded that there are medical men who have been many years in practice, who have never performed this operation. Even leeching is seldom required. The occasions under which they may be advisable will be found under the instructions for the treatment of respective diseases. (See also Leeching.) With the view of moderating the force of the circul: 'on, the employment of the warm bath will be found serviceable, although it would seem that during the bath the pulse may at first be quickened, faint- ness may be induced by its prolonged use. Short of this, how- ever, the profuse perspiration that often follows its use reduces both the rate of the pulse and the temperature of the surface. The next means for fulfilling this indication will be found in lowering medicines — such as tartar-emetic, ipecacuanha, calo- mel, and various purgatives. An important means also to the same end will be the relief of pain by the use of henbane, etc. The second indication in the general treatment of inflammation, viz., the reduction of the temperature and contraction of the loaded vessels, will, in a great measure, follow on the successful employment of the means above named for the first indication. These will be aided by local application of cold, either by evaporating lotions, or by the use of ice, or by the astringent action of certain medicines applied externally, such as nitrate of silver, extract of lead, tannin, etc. If the inflammation be seated in an internal organ, blistering and external irritants are serviceable. The last indication, viz., the removal of the effects of inflammation, such as thickening of parts by deposi- tion of material into their structure, is to be fulfilled by the use of stimulants, internal and external, and by tonic medicines, aided by a full diet. Inflammation of the Brain, or Brain Fever. — Symptoms. — This affection, which is also known as water on the brain, or MEDICINAL. 349 Hydrocephalus, is of two forms, acute, and chronic. In the acute form, symptoms will vary with age.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Treatment of Inflammation and its Results. — The general principles of the treatment consist in — ist, moderating the force of the circulation; 2nd, in reducing the temperature, and causing contraction of the loaded small vessels; and, 3rd, in removing the effects of inflammation. The first indication is effected by depletion, or by medicines which affect the force of the heart's action. Depletion is effected by bleeding from a vein, by cupping and by leeching. The last of these is the only means of depletion that can be employed by a non-professional person; and is, indeed, almost the only means that is adopted even by professional persons. Venesection, or bleeding from the arm, is now so nearly exploded that there are medical men who have been many years in practice, who have never performed this operation. Even leeching is seldom required. The occasions under which they may be advisable will be found under the instructions for the treatment of respective diseases. (See also Leeching.) With the view of moderating the force of the circulation, the employment of the warm bath will be found serviceable, although it would seem that during the bath the pulse may at first be quickened, faintness may be induced by its prolonged use. Short of this, however, the profuse perspiration that often follows its use reduces both the rate of the pulse and the temperature of the surface. The next means for fulfilling this indication will be found in lowering medicines — such as tartar-emetic, ipecacuanha, calomel, and various purgatives. An important means also to the same end will be the relief of pain by the use of henbane, etc. The second indication in the general treatment of inflammation, viz., the reduction of the temperature and contraction of the loaded vessels, will, in a great measure, follow on the successful employment of the means above named for the first indication. These will be aided by local application of cold, either by evaporating lotions, or by the use of ice, or by the astringent action of certain medicines applied externally, such as nitrate of silver, extract of lead, tannin, etc. If the inflammation be seated in an internal organ, blistering and external irritants are serviceable. The last indication, viz., the removal of the effects of inflammation, such as thickening of parts by deposition of material into their structure, is to be fulfilled by the use of stimulants, internal and external, and by tonic medicines, aided by a full diet. Inflammation of the Brain, or Brain Fever. — Symptoms. — This affection, which is also known as water on the brain, or Hydrocephalus, is of two forms, acute, and chronic. In the acute form, symptoms will vary with age.

The housekeeper's companion