26 INFLAMMATION. 



may so press upon or even destroy the structure of an organ as 

 to render it incapable of performing its function. 



Of this we have examples in consolidation of the lungs, 

 cirrhosis of the liver, &c. 



There are some chronic inflammations which are essentially 

 destructive to the tissue which they involve, and in which there 

 is no tendency to the formation of new tissue in the inflamed 

 part itself — as, for example, in inflammation of articular cartil- 

 age ; but even in these, with but few exceptions, there is an 

 increased formation of fibrous, and even more highly organized 

 tissue, i.e., bone, in close proximity to the focus of inflammation. 



TERMINATIONS OF INFLAMMATION. 



Many pathologists are of opinion that there are great objec- 

 tions to the expression used here, and that what are regarded 

 as terminations are conditions co-existent with the various 

 stages of inflammation. Some have even gone so far as to say 

 that resolution is not a termination ; but we must at least retain 

 that term, as it seems the only termination. The words results, 

 or events, are now used instead of terminations ; and, retaining 

 resolution as a termination, these are — Effusion of Serum, Exu- 

 dation of Coagulable Lymjph, Suppuration, Ulceration, Gangrene, 

 and Sphacehcs. 



RESOLUTION. 



This is said to occur when the symptoms gradually subside, 

 and when there is a cessation of the transudation of the fluid 

 part of the blood from the vessels ; or, in other words, a resto- 

 ration of the nutritive functions of the part into their normal 

 condition, and the absorption of the substance contained in the 

 tissue. This subsidence of inflammation may be sudden, when 

 it is called delitescence; or it may be gradual, when it is 

 called resolution ; or it may be sudden, and the inflammation 

 may as suddenly appear in another part of the body, and then 

 metastasis is said to have taken place. 



Eesolution occurs in two ways : — 1st. The sudden cessation of 

 the irritation, delitescence, and removal of the exuded materials 

 before coagulation or solidification has been effected. In this 

 process the veins and lymphatics take up the exudate in its 



