BRONCHITIS. 



Gil 



PATHOLOGY AND MORBID ANATOMY. 



Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, like that affecting other 

 mucous membranes, is attended with changes in their epi- 

 thelium, the secretion of the glands, and in the surrounding 

 tissues. 



It is rare to meet with a fatal case of bronchitis during its 

 earlier stages, and but for the accidental slaughter in Liverpool 

 of the American cattle already referred to, it would have been 

 difficult to have given the details of the morbid anatomy. 



The appearance of the lung in the earlier stage of bronchitis, 

 with collapse, that is to say, when it is observed prior to 

 the commencement of secondary changes or phenomena, is 

 as follows : — There are patches over its surface that have fallen 

 below the level of surrounding parts ; sometinaes these depres- 

 sions measure an eighth of an inch in depth ; they are of a 

 bluish-purple colour, and variable in size. The parts around 

 them are of a light pink hue, and are either healthy or in a 

 more or less emphysematous conditioi;. 



7 a^ 



a o 



Fig. 37.— Portion of luncj from American ox slaiiglitered at Liverpool, 

 and showinfj bronchitis in the very earliest stages (a «, collapsed lobules) 

 from obstruction of tubes. The elevations (6 6, non-collapsed lobules) are 

 slightly emphysematous. 



The depressions consist of certain lobules in a state of collapse 

 arising from occlusion of their bronchial tubes by pus or other 

 material. The collapsed portions are bluish-purple in colour; 

 non-crepitant, and depressed, resembling foetal lungs, sinking 

 slowly in water. 



Collapse of the lung tissue — atelectasis — induces more or less 



