The necessary rest may be obtained in different ways. Inflamed tendons,
ligaments, and muscles may be rested by placing the animal in a sling,
standing it in a stall, or fixing the part with bandages. Rest of the
stomach or intestinal tract may be obtained by feeding a light diet, or
withholding all feed. Comfortable quarters, special care and dieting the
animal are important factors in the treatment of inflammation.

The agents used in the treatment of superficial and localized inflammation
are _heat, cold, massage_ and _counterirritation_. _Heat_ is indicated in
all inflammations, excepting when of bacterial origin. It stimulates the
circulation and reabsorption of the inflammatory exudates, and by relaxing
the tissues helps greatly in relieving pain. _Cold_ is more effective in
the highly acute and septic (suppurative) inflammation. Its action consists
principally in the contraction of the dilated blood-vessels. Continuous
irrigation of the part with cold water is the most satisfactory method of
applying cold. _Massage_ is a very important method of treating superficial
inflammation. Mild, stimulating liniments are usually used in connection
with hand-rubbing or friction. Chronic inflammation is usually treated with
_counterirritants._ Blistering and firing are the most important methods
of treatment. Such counterirritation makes possible the absorption of the
inflammatory exudates by changing the chronic inflammation to the acute
form.

WOUNDS.--A wound, in the restricted sense that the term is commonly used,
includes only such injuries that are accompanied by breaks or divisions of
the skin and mucous membrane. It is usually an open, hemorrhagic injury.

If the tissues are severed by a sharp instrument and the edges of the wound
are smooth, it is classed as an _incised_ or _clean-cut wound_. This class
is not commonly met with in domestic animals outside of operative wounds.