Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/27

Rh which may have been inhaled by the breath, and may adhere to those passages.

As these directions are highly important, we trust they will be scrupulously followed, in all cases where any infectious disorders unfortunately prevail.  INFLAMMATION, in medicine, is a tumor attended with unnatural heat, redness, painful tension of the skin, and febrile symptoms, which are more or less violent, according to the nature of the part affected, and the extent of the swelling.

Almost every part of the body is liable to inflammations, but chiefly the bowels, breast, eyes, &c. of which we shall treat in the progress of this article.

The termination of inflammatory tumors depends on their different degrees of violence, and the causes whence they originate, as well as their treatment. Where they appear in consequence of colds, without any previous disposition of the system, they may often be dispersed by the usual applications; but after fevers, and in persons of gross habits, they generally terminate in suppuration. In aged, infirm, or dropsical persons, however, they frequently produce mortification or gangrene.

In treating external inflammations, the chief object is to relieve such of the smaller vessels as are obstructed; thus to restore the natural circulation of the blood, and to effect the dispersion of the tumors. Swellings of this nature, if attended with mild symptoms, or arising from external injury, may be safely discussed. Hence various applications may be resorted to, according to the temperament of the patient. For persons of hot, gross habits, cooling external remedies are the most serviceable: by those of an opposite nature, cataplasms of warm emollient herbs may be used with advantage. The effect of these applications will be considerably promoted, by taking at the same time cooling and attenuating medicines while the diet ought to consist of nourishing aliment, that is easily digested; carefully avoiding all salted meat, pickles, spices, fermented or spirituous liquors, and whatever tends to irritate and inflame the body. The most proper food in such cases is broth, barley-water, and decoctions of sorrel, endive, or the like cooling herbs, mixed with small portions of lemon-juice, or other vegetable acids; to which may occasionally be added a little nitre, when the inflammation threatens to increase. But, it the tumor incline to gangrene, it requires a very different treatment, and more peculiarly relates to surgery.—See the article.

, or Cystitis, an affection of that part of the human frame, accompanied with swelling and pain in the lower region of the belly, frequent and difficult discharge, or total suppression of urine, &c.

Inflammations of the bladder arise from calculous concretions; obstructions in the urethra; Spanish flies, either taken internally, or applied to the skin; from wounds, bruises, &c.

In this dangerous malady, it will be advisable to resort immediately to medical assistance; but, if it cannot be easily procured, the patient may apply leeches round the abdomen. Purgatives should likewise be administered; and clysters prepared from a decoction of poppy-