XII. The treatment of secondary inflammations naturally divides itself into local and constitutional, both as regards the primary lesion and the subsequent affections. The circumstances which interfere with union by the first intention in veins, have been shown to be the same as those which precede the formation of purulent deposits, in a large class of cases. Whatever then tends to favour the healthy reparation of a wounded vein, may be regarded as affording security against any subsequent disease; and the chief point in the local treatment is, perhaps, to prevent any accidental circumstances from interfering with the natural process of repair. When the powers of the constitution are enfeebled, even the natural motions of a part may interfere with recovery, and rest sometimes becomes an important object in the treatment. How necessary this is after child-birth, when the divided veins are being closed, every one who has attended such cases practically knows. Again, after bleeding, the arm will inflame in a much greater proportion of cases, when the patient is obliged to follow his usual occupation, or when, from accidental circumstances (as from the pain experienced in Case I), the arms are kept in motion. It has occurred to me, to see the symptoms of purulent deposits set in, on the day following prolonged attempts to bring fractured portions of bone into position. In all such cases, any external violence (as in Experiment No. VI), or even the motion of the body, as in Dr. Davis's case (section IV) may loosen the coagula formed, either between the wounded edges, or in the cavities of veins. In the treatment of the local injury, a valuable hint has been left us by Mr. Hunter, connected directly with the consideration of the pathology of the disease. "The way in which sore arms after bleeding come on, shows plainly that they arise from the wound not healing by the first intention"; and he recommends that the two sides of the vein should be approximated by a compress, until union of the divided edges has taken place.