DISEASES OF HORSES. I4I 



Capillaries. — The blood is the pabulum from 

 whence is elaborated the entire organism, as well as 

 the source from whence are derived all the various 

 secretions and excretions of the system; but in order 

 that these purposes may be accomplished, it is nec- 

 essary for the fluid in question to be circulated 

 through, or its material brought in contact with, every 

 tissue requiring fresh nutrition, as well as through the 

 various secretory and excretory organs. To effectually 

 accomplish this we find a class of structures set apart 

 and admirably adapted in every way to fulfill the pur- 

 pose required. The first of these is the heart itself; 

 next come the large blood conduits, the arteries which 

 spring from the former as the tree springs from the 

 earth; while the arteries, again, terminate in a series 

 of vessels of wonderful minuteness, just as the boughs 

 of a tree terminate in twigs. These minute vessels 

 are denominated capillaries. The capillaries ramify, 

 and are placed in the most intimate relation with every 

 tissue throughout the body within whose substance re- 

 production and decay are in perpetual operation, as 

 well as with those organs whose duty it is to furnish 

 or separate the secretions and excretions already re- 

 ferred to. Each tissue selects from the common 

 pabulum, the blood, thus sent to it, the peculiar prin- 

 ciple it requires to support its own life and integrity. 



The usual terminations of inflammation are resolu- 

 tion, mortification, suppuration, ulceration, hemor- 

 rhage, effusion, hepatization, and ossification. ist. 

 By Resolution is meant the state of the tissues after 

 their recovery from the effects of inflammation. 2d. 

 Mortification is a loss of vitality, or the death of the 

 tissues involved. 3d. Suppuration is a collection of 

 purulent matter, which receives the name of an abcess. 

 .|th. Ulceration, a purulent solution of the continuity 



