660 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Dissolution is the reverse of this. "We have, then, to see if inflamma- 

 tion corresponds to a definition running thus : Dissolution is a disinte- 

 gration of matter and concomitant absorption of motion, during which 

 the matter passes from a definite, coherent heterogeneity to an indefi- 

 nite, incoherent homogeneity, and during which the retained motion 

 undergoes a parallel transformation. 



The first thing which our definition asserts is, that inflammation is 

 a disintegration of matter. This proposition needs little defense. Do 

 we not find that inflamed parts are always softened, and that when the 

 process is severe and continued they become liquefied, converted into 

 pus ? Inflammation clearly is a process which tends to the disintegra- 

 tion of matter. We learn, next, that the disintegration of matter is 

 accompanied with concomitant absorption of motion. This, on con- 

 sideration, will be found equally true, although, perhaps, not so obvi- 

 ous. In the process of evolution the motion of units (molecular mo- 

 tion) becomes converted into the motion of aggregates (molar motion) ; 

 and in dissolution the reverse takes place. The latter we shall find 

 hold good of inflammation. An inflamed part is not only softened 

 which means that its component molecules move more readily upon 

 one another but it is swollen. The particles previously integrated 

 into a solid mass, occupying a small space, have most of them moved 

 farther away from one another, and now occupy a comparatively great 

 space. Besides this, it is hotter than natural, and heat is a mode of 

 motion. There is thus an increase of molecular motion. "With this, 

 the functional activity of the part which, from our present point of 

 view, is its motion as an aggregate (for all force is a mode of motion), 

 is lessened. To take the most literal illustration : an inflamed muscle 

 can not contract with the force of a healthy one. Seeing, then, that 

 there is an increase of molecular motion in an inflamed pai't, we might 

 be content with pointing out that this motion must have been obtained 

 from somewhere. But we may go further. There is one remedy, the 

 potency of which, in checking inflammatory change, can not be gain- 

 said. It can not everywhere be efficiently applied, and it is not always 

 decidedly for the patient's benefit that inflammation should be too 

 rudely cut short ; but, when circumstances admit of cold being brought 

 into play, there is no doubt that it will arrest or suspend inflammatory 

 change. We find throughout the universe that cold everywhere arrests 

 molecular motion. It makes fluids into solids, vapors into fluids ; 

 checks chemical as well as vital change. The inflamed part to which 

 cold is applied is surrounded by a medium from which it can not ab- 

 sorb motion ; and, if motion can not be absorbed, inflammation can 

 not go on. Inflammation, then, is a change attended with the absorp- 

 tion of motion as well as with the disintegration of matter. 



Proceeding with our definition, we find it next informs us that the 

 matter (in the present case the inflamed part) passes from a definite, 

 coherent heterogeneity to an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity. It 



