166 Veterinary Elements. 



briefly it is the reaction of the tissues after injury. The 

 signs of inflammation, viz. : Pain, heat, redness and swell- 

 ing are familiar to all; the pain being due to the pressure 

 on the nerves of the part, the redness and heat to the in- 

 creased supply of blood at the part, the swelling to the 

 exudation of lymph. The process is as follows: The 

 blood supply to apart is increased, the circulation event- 

 ually becomes slower, and the blood vessels engorged; 

 the red cells accumulate in the center of the stream, and 

 owing to the pressure there is escape of the white cells 

 and some of the plasma. The injury becomes repaired 

 in several ways, these white cells may absorb the wasted 

 material and be taken away by the lymphatics, or the 

 cells of the part may absorb the white cells; if the white 

 cells are too numerous to be thus removed, they may die 

 and be thrown off as matter (pus). If the exudation 

 into the tissues is allowed to remain there, it will coagu- 

 late, due to the fibrin, and as a result formation of fibrous 

 bands (adhesions) which may cause permanent enlarge- 

 ment of a part; thus interfering with its movement, cir- 

 culation and therefore its nutrition. The best way to 

 remove the exudation is by applying pressure to the 

 p.irts, this must, however, be done before the exudate 

 becomes solid. 



