148 SEVENTH REPORT—1837. 
ence to absorption, transudation, and’ imbibition, we meet with 
some results, obtained in the injuredbodies of animals employed 
in these inquiries, which are not perfectly similar to those pha- 
nomena which may be observed when the corresponding organs 
of perfectly healthy and vigorous animals are concerned ; fluids 
possessing various properties being seen to enter into the circu- 
lation, and to penetrate membranous and other textures in the 
experiments alluded to, whilst in the latter case they meet with 
impassable barriers. The diffusion of a diseased process, as in 
the instances of the degeneration of structures in the vicinity of 
malignant tumours, alluded to at page 10, does not appear to 
take place until these structures have been impaired by inflam- 
mation, when the new product to which this disturbance of 
function gives rise presents the character possessed by the ad- 
ventitious structure. This view of the case, if correct, tends to 
strengthen our opinion, that inflammation is not to be regarded, 
as some have supposed, as a condition of exalted vitality, but 
quite the reverse. It also directs us, in our inquiry after the 
chemical attributes of vitality, to fix upon the precise attractions 
which it is engaged in counteracting. 
Tuos. Hopexin, M.D., &c., &c. 
