_Local Treatment of Inflammation._ In all forms of superficial inflammation the local treatment occupies an important place. The persistent application of _cold_ (cold water in a stream, icebags, freezing mixtures) will sometimes overcome the tendency to inflammation or arrest it. This is especially sought when a violent inflammation (as in a wounded joint) threatens to destroy an important organ. If adopted, it must be persisted in, as if it is suspended too soon the reaction is likely to make matters worse than ever. _Cold astringent applications_ have a similar tendency. Sugar-of-lead, one-half ounce; laudanum, one ounce; water, one quart, may be kept applied by means of a linen bandage. The water may often be advantageously replaced by extract of witch-hazel. If the inflamed part is superficial the lotion may be made _antiseptic_ (carbolic acid, one dram; or sulphurous acid solution, five ounces; water, one quart). _Hot applications_, _fomentations_, _poultices_ are nearly always appropriate but they should be made antiseptic to prevent bacterial development. When adopted they should like _cold_ ones be kept up as continuously as possible. These soothe alike the superficial and deeper parts, the latter through sympathy, producing first a relaxation of vessels and tissues, and later a contraction of the former attended by pallor of the surface. They greatly favor suppuration when that is already inevitable, though in other cases they may obviate it by checking at an early stage the acute inflammatory process on which it depends. Any bland agent that will retain heat and moisture will make an excellent poultice, though flaxseed-meal is the type of a soothing demulcent application. Very slight inflammation may be successfully treated at the outset with a _stimulating embrocation_ (alcohol or camphorated spirit), yet in the more violent type of acute inflammation all local excitants tend to aggravate the disease. In these violent forms the activity of the disease should be first abated by local soothing and general sedative measures, and then the part over the inflamed organ may be safely treated with a stimulating liniment or even a blister. In such cases the liniment first acts as a derivative of blood and nervous energy from the inflamed part, and later and still more beneficially by securing in it a sympathetic healing process, like that set up in the skin. It is further probable that the absorbed albuminoids, which have been modified in the congested part often exercise a decided effect on the inflamed tissue. In raw sores where inflammation has been set up the granulations may become dropsical or excessive, bulging beyond the adjacent skin as _proud flesh_. This should be repressed by touching it gently with some mild caustic (lunar caustic), so as to produce a thin, white film, and the remote cause of the inflammation (often a local irritant) should be sought and removed. In some unhealthy sores tending to excessive