NATURE. 2C3 



others, and to sink to the bottom of the vessel in which the 

 blood may be received. Although it is rather difficult to form 

 any correct estimate of either the character or the composition 

 of blood from merely observing the mode of its solidification, the 

 character of the clot, or the relative amount of this as com- 

 pared with the fluid portion, seeing these are largely modified 

 by various trifling circumstances, it is yet evident to any care- 

 ful observer that something of an abnormal character exists, 

 although ho be not able to pronounce what the abnormality is. 

 Here there is little doubt that we have a more marked tendency 

 than in health for the several elements, the formed or corpus- 

 cular and the liquid, to separate from each other ; also that 

 there is an ajDpearance of want of stability in the red globules 

 themselves, and a great inclination to aggregate in masses; 

 that in the liquid portion there seems an increase in such 

 nutritive materials as are represented by the fibrinogenous or 

 fibrine-forming elements, and of albumen. 



Seldom, however, save in the most simple cases, is the local 

 disorder confined to merely functional derangement ; in a 

 number, in addition to marked febrile disturbance, we have in 

 the affected limb true congestive or inflammatory action. 

 These morbid processes are the primary and active agents in 

 the production of structural changes in the locality invaded ; 

 the material naturally resulting from inflammation of lymphatic 

 glands and vessels is extravasated into the connective-tissue 

 adjacent to these ; it is rarely ever perfectly removed either by 

 natural absorption' or degenerative processes, but remaining in 

 the situations where effused, becomes more or less perfectly 

 organized. Like all other structures which have been the 

 seat of such unhealthy actions, those connected Avith the limb 

 where the local manifestations of this disease have occurred 

 have conferred upon them not merely permanent functional 

 incapacity but also structural weakness. One feature con- 

 nected with the manifestation of lymphangitis is deserving of 

 notice, although it is diflicult of exj^lanation — we mean the 

 preference Avhich is shown for development of the local 

 symptoms in the left hind-limb over all the others. The fore- 

 hmbs, although liable to be invaded by the local diseased 

 action, are much less so than the hind ones. 



c. Causation. — Of the rather numerous causes operating in 



