[18] The solution must, upon the principles already laid down, be both weak, and only so cold as to reduce the sensation of the part to its natural condition, that is to say, so as to abate the morbid feeling of heat; because, if we make it otherwise, we may injure the powers of recovery, and perhaps induce gangrene. The application ought not to be so cold as to excite the sensation of coldness, at least in any considerable degree.
[19] Bark is useful and necessary in every case of erysipelas, after the inflammatio valida has abated. Local applications, of a stimulating nature, are also useful at this period, as will afterwards be mentioned, when the inflammatio debilis comes to be considered.
These remarks upon the resolution of the inflammatio valida, may be concluded, by observing, that the diet ought to be low and sparing, in a degree proportioned to the violence of the action. Such motion as affects the local action, must at all times be prevented; but when a general action likewise exists, then general quietude must also be insisted on.
_Of the Remedies which are necessary for inducing Suppuration._
Suppuration is a new action, the exciting cause of which is inflammation; but, that it may take place, it is requisite, that the inflammatory action be prevented from subsiding too soon, or too suddenly; in which case, either resolution, or inflammatio assuefacta, takes place: Whilst, on the other hand, we must prevent the action from rising too high, and proceeding too rapidly; in which case, mortification is caused.
In these cases, in which resolution cannot be obtained, suppuration will generally take place, without any interference on our part, provided we prevent the action from terminating in gangrene. This we observe in many internal inflammations. At the same time, we may sometimes accelerate this process, by a proper regulation of the original action.
The remedies proper for moderating and removing the inflammatory action, have been already mentioned; but these sometimes fail to produce resolution; in which case, either suppuration, or mortification, take place. When the symptoms of suppuration take place (which have been already noticed), all that is perhaps essentially necessary, is, to give up the resolving plan, and not interrupt the natural progress of the action. If, however, the inflammatory action continue longer stationary, and seem neither to be resolving, nor decidedly inducing the suppurative action, then such remedies as increase the action, and accelerate its progress, are essentially requisite. These remedies, however, are, in general, indiscriminately applied in both cases.
