8 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TRKATMENT OF 



ages this subject has excited the interest of the medical inquirer, and 

 treatment of disease was in accordance with the opinion held with regard 

 to this process. We will notice some of the views that were held regard- 

 ing the process. It was supposed to be an exalted action and increased 

 nutrition to the parts, and the antiphlogistic treatment was recommended. 

 It was supposed to be too much blood to the parts, and if it could be 

 gotten rid of, it would cure the disease ; but this has been found to be 

 different, and different opinions are still held. We hear much talk about 

 the vital principle, and it is difficult to tell just what this principle is. 

 It was supposed to exist in certain tissues, as in the brain and nervous 

 tissues ; others tried to demonstrate that it existed in the blood ; others 

 that it existed in the nervous system without blood being the seat of it. 

 But it is now believed that every tissue possesses this vital principle, or 

 property. The cells of every tissue extract from the blood nutritive 

 properties necessary for their growth— muscular tissue, properties for its 

 development, growth, etc. Changes of view regarding this vital principle 

 have led to great changes in the treatment of inflammation. It is diffi- 

 cult to give a concise definition. It is not the blood alone that is affected, 

 but the tissues are also affected. I will give s: me other definitions : It is 

 an exudation of liquor sanguinis, but when there is an exudation of 

 liquor sanguinis there is not always inflammation, and a mere deter- 

 mination of blood to a part is not inflammation, but congestion. It is 

 defined as a peculiar perversion of nutrition or secretion Inflammation 

 may be present, and not have all these conditions Irritation appears to 

 be the starting point of inflammation. Inflammation may be said to be 

 a destructive process, or a fermentative process, and is sometimes just 

 what v^e desire to set up for the healthy maintenance of parts. A part to 

 be in a «^tate of health, must have a regular and not far distant supply of 

 blood, and the right composition of that blood, and the influence of ner- 

 vous force in a natural state. In the process of inflammation there is 

 more or less change. The process can be easily seen in some transparent 

 vascular structures, such as the web of a frog's foot. If this is put under 

 the microscope, the blood will flow through in a regular manner, the red 

 corpuscles most abundant and occupying the centre of the stream move 

 quickly, and are surrounded by the liquor sangoinis. There are some 

 white corpuscles also. They are larger and change their shape, accom- 

 modating themselves to the vessels through which they pass. If an irri- 

 tant is applied to a part, and the part excited to an inflammatory process, 

 a marked change takes place. The vessels contract, and consequently 

 there is a diminution in the amount of blood. By and by the vessels 

 become dilated, and quickly regain their natural size. If the stimulant 

 is but slight when they are dilated, blood will flow a little quicker for a 

 short time, but if the irritation is increased or continued, and of a severe 

 character, the muscular walls appear paralyzed, and do not contract, but 

 dilate much above their usual state, and let more blood into the capil- 

 laries, the circulation becomes slower and slower, there is an increase of 

 blood to the parts, a clear margin of the liquor sanguinis, the blood 

 becomes almost stagnant, the corpuscles alter and adhere to the sides of 

 the vessels, exudation takes place through the walls of the vessels, and 

 gives rise to what is sometimes called leucocythft-mia. Inflammation is 

 established, the blood rushes in and changes to a certain extent — becomes 

 somewhat muddy, so to speak— the vessels may rupture and the blood 

 goes through. Previous to inflammation actually taking place, there is 

 hyperemia or congestion. There must be an altered condition of the 

 blood in the capillaries. It is difficult to say just when congestion ceases 

 and inflammation begins. Inflammation does not terminate so quickly 



