ON WOUNDS. 101) 



a loss of tone or a loss of substance, it Is evident 

 that a re-establishment of its original organiza- 

 tion cannot be effected without very consider- 

 able efforts in the system. Hence inflammation 

 almost always succeeds injury, in proportion, 

 either with the extent of the mischief, or its 

 situation, or the greater or less irritability of the 

 patient. In trifling accidents, the degree of in- 

 flammation is so small as to require no attention ; 

 but in wounds of greater magnitude, or of parts 

 most essential to life, the inflammation will be 

 more serious, and will demand greater skill in 

 the treatment. As, therefore, inflammation, to 

 a certain degree, is the natural basis of restora- 

 tion, it remains to point out the proper mode of 

 regulating it, so as to prevent the bad effects 

 either of its excess, or of its want of suflicient 

 activity. In the first of these cases, mortifica- 

 tion will be the consequence; in the last, cal- 

 losity and schirrus, or permanent disorganization. 

 Wounds may be divided into two classes, namely, 

 simple and compound. 



The 



