INFLAMMATION. 173 



354. Third result or formation of Lymph and Adhesion. 



If the distension of the blood-vessels is great, the albuminous parts of 

 the blood may pass out through their coats, and from it fibrin will be 

 formed in the cells of the tissue. The material so generated is known 

 as Lymph. Its more fluid parts are soon absorbed, and the lymph then 

 becomes firm and solid. 



Lymph, if due to sthenic inflammation, has a tendency very rapidly to 

 become organised. None of the other fluids derived from the blood 

 under such circumstances are capable of this change. Lymph is the 

 material by which wounds are repaired, broken bones are joined, and 

 new parts of the body are built up. 



Hence in some cases lymph may be useful as a means of repair; but 

 in other cases it may be formed in structures where from its adhesive 

 qualities it may be a source of mischief, as, for instance, in the lungs, 

 pleura, and many other parts ; or it may be deposited in excess of the 

 quantity required for repair, and in this way, when consolidated, may be 

 an evil. 



Lymph, however, if due to asthenic inflammation, is apt to degenerate. 



355. Fourth result or formation of Pus, otherwise called Suppuration. 



The fourth result of inflammation is the formation of Pus. Pus is 

 formed by the transformation of the cells and nuclei of the areolar tissue 

 into those of pus, the nutrient matter necessary for their formation 

 being under the diseased action of the tissue exuded from the blood. 



The process of the formation of pus is known as suppuration. It is 

 seldom attended with much pain, except when the matter is unable to 

 gain an exit. The time required for the formation of pus is very uncer- 

 tain. Sometimes it appears a few hours after congestion has set in, 

 sometimes not until after many days, sometimes not at all. 



Healthy pus is not offensive, but when the stagnation has proceeded 

 so far as to injure the vitality of the part, the secretion is apt to become 

 thin, acrid, and offensive. 



There is a marked difference between pus and lymph. Lymph consoli- 

 dates, hardens, and builds up the part on which it is deposited ; while 

 pus on the other hand diffuses itself through the natural textures, and 

 softens, separates, and breaks them down, and either makes an exit for 

 itself externally, or if confined burrows internally and forms abscesses. 



Suppuration frequently supervenes on an undue and excessive forma- 

 tion of lymph. Lymph is apt to be deposited in quantities greater than 

 required for the purposes of repair. From its tendency to accumulate 

 and consolidate, it might, if permitted to remain, fill up and obstruct 

 important organs and passages. Here nature, ever bountiful even in 

 disease, interferes and prevents its undue accumulation by the production 

 of pus, which breaks it up and causes its disintegration and removal. 



