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354 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
The first stage of inflammation is called congestion.
It is the gathering of the blood in the part, before the
diseased action is fully established. In this stage, relief
is easily effected, but when there is induration or sup
puration, it can not be overcome so quickly.
Let us now see what are the characteristics of in
flammation in particular organs.
Inflammation of the Brain or its membranes, is char
acterized by great heat, fullness, violent pain, suffusion
of the face, redness of the eyes, vomiting, general
fever, delirium ; then stupor, fixedness of the pupils,
coma ; rigidity or convulsion of the muscles ; followed
by relaxation and death.
The treatment is the application of cold to the head
in the most decided and thorough manner, with warmth
and friction to the lower part of the body. I have kept
the head encased in snow for six hours, with the body
in a wet-sheet pack.
Pathologists distinguish between congestion
and in
flammation of the brain and its membranes, each mem
brane, and even the different portions of each ; but
there is no practical benefit in these niceties. If there
is acute inflammation within the cranium, we have but
one means of meeting it.
Chronic Inflammation of the Brain is characterized
by the various symptoms of insanity. Water has been
used for ages for the treatment of this disease, and
sometimes with good effect. I have great faith in its
to see it
continued persevering application, and hope
fairly tried in some of our insane asylums. A daily
bath, pack, and injections, with all healthy conditions,
and a pure vegetable diet, would give promise of cure,