OF ALBUMINURIA. 5 



a complicated form of apparatus when a more simple 

 one would answer the same end. 



I would next direct attention to some circum- 

 stances connected with albuminous effusion, as a 

 product of inflammation, and more particularly to 

 the accompanying physical condition of the vessels 

 through which it exudes. 



When congestion is set up in the vessels of the 

 cellular tissue of the body, which in health allow 

 the escape of only a very fine vapour through their 

 pores, we find an increased exudation, causing watery 

 effusion, or oedema, to occur as the speedy conse- 

 quence of the application of a slight obstructing 

 cause to the circulation through them. If the con- 

 gestion be greater, so as to be attended with the 

 ordinary signs of inflammation, then albuminous 

 effusion is observed to take place ; and thus Muller 

 says, " If a part, the subject of inflammation, has a 

 free surface, whether there be a wound or not, an 

 exudation of a coagulable fluid (the liquor sanguinis) 

 takes place." The effect of a free surface in fa- 

 vouring effusion we see illustrated in the rapidity 

 with which serous and albuminous infiltration of the 

 loose cellular tissue of the scrotum follows inflamma- 

 tion, and the same remark will apply to the chemosis 

 attending conjunctivitis. 



When a ligature is tied round a limb so as slightly 

 to obstruct the return of venous blood from it, at 

 the end of a period, varying with circumstances, 

 serous effusion into the cellular tissue or oedema is 

 found to have taken place. In old and debilitated 

 persons, from insufficient arterial impulse, and also 



B 3 



