24 INFLAMMATION. 



internal parts by the insertion of the thermo-electric needle, 

 and that, as a general rule, the pleural cavities were from about 

 one-tenth to one-fifth of a degree per cent, cooler than the peri- 

 toneal cavity, and from one-fifth to one-half of a degree cooler 

 than the left side of the heart. It was, therefore, clear that, 

 if a temperature of more t'han one-half a degree per cent, was 

 present after inflammation had been set up, it could not be 

 due to the blood current, but must have arisen from some 

 local and independent source of heat. But the results of 

 experiments showed that, so far from any augmentation, there 

 was a distinct depression of temperature on the inflamed side, 

 amounting in one case, when the pleural sac was filled with 

 fibrinous fluid, to as much as one-half of a degree per cent, less 

 than that of the peritoneum, and about one-third of a degree 

 below that of the opposite pleura, and more than one-half of a 

 degree cooler than that of the left heart. Again, in peritonitis 

 the temperature was less than that of the left heart by as 

 much as two-thirds of a degree per cent., and in one case it 

 was 1-1° per cent, (equal to 2° Fahr.) below that of the blood 

 in the left ventricle. 



To settle this uncertainty, experiments have been instituted, 

 which have led to the following conclusions : — 1st. That arterial 

 blood supplied to an inflamed limb is less warm than the seat of 

 inflammation ; 2d. That the venous blood returning from an 

 inflamed limb, though less warm than the focus of inflammation, 

 is warmer than the arterial blood supplied to it ; and od. That the 

 venous blood returning from an inflamed limb is warmer than 

 the corresponding current on the opposite side of the body. On 

 the evidence of these experiments, which were made on three 

 dogs with compound fracture of the leg, Mr. Simon ventures to 

 say that the inflamed part is no mere recipient of heat, but is 

 itself actively calorific; and that in proportion to its heated 

 venous outflow the temperature of the common mass of circu- 

 lating blood is necessarily raised ; and that the local disorder 

 represents an influence which tends to diffusion throughout the 

 body, and thus be an important cause of inflammatory fever. 



Impairment of Function. — Perversion or impairment of thb 

 functional properties of a part under inflammation is a very 

 common, indeed almost a constant, accompaniment of its various 

 stages. In the first stage it may be increased, as may be 



