THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



559 



to its normal condition. In more severe cases the quantity of the inflam- 

 matory products is so great that portions of the wall of the intestine 

 become necrotic. This necrosis may involve only the glandular coat, or it 

 may extend deeper into the wall of the intestine. The necrosed tissue after 

 a time sloughs away, leaving behind ulcers of different sizes and depths. 

 After this the ulcers may cicatrize, or their floors and walls may remain in 

 the condition of granulation tissue f qr an indefinite length of time. When 

 the latter is the case there is added a chronic inflammation of the wall of 



FIG. 336. NECROTIC COLITIS. 

 Circumscribed congestion and necrosis of the glandular and connective-tissue coats. 



the intestine between the ulcers, with changes in the mucous membrane 

 and thickening of the connective -tissue and muscular coats. 



Necrotic Colitis. There is a form of inflammation of the colon in 

 which considerable areas of the connective-tissue coat become necrotic, 

 leaving the glandular coat undermined and separated from the muscular 

 coat. In this way large ulcers with overhanging, edges are developed. 

 This form of colitis is very fatal. 



There is another very fatal and obscure form of necrotic colitis which 

 appears to be septic in character. After death the inner surface of the 

 colon is found studded with little blackish areas in which the blood-ves- 

 sels are gorged with blood. The glandular and connective-tissue coats 

 are infiltrated with pus cells and there is a superficial necrosis (Fig. 336). 



Various forms of micro-organisms have been found in connection with 



