DIFFUSE SUPPURATION. 37 



and should tlie animal not die quickly, large slouglis or death 

 of portions of structure may take place. 



Formation of pus, occurring in loose texture — the popliteal 

 space, poll, withers — may cause infiltration by gravity, thus 

 leading to a secondary destruction of tissue, and the formation 

 of sinuses. 



The progress of purulent effusion is probably not dissimilar 

 to that of the phlegmonous abscess, but the inflammation is of 

 a different type, and all the processes less complete. Thus we 

 find no barrier of condensed tissue to circumscribe the abscess, 

 or limit the pus. The process of suppuration is less per- 

 fect, so that the pus contains shreds or even large portions 

 of mortified and loose connective tissue. There is no vital 

 transformation into a fluid albuminous substance here, as in a 

 healthy abscess. The pus is also thinner, containing a large 

 portion of liquor puris, and also sometimes flakes of l}Tnph. 

 There is no pointing, as in true abscess, for the pus passes 

 readily from its original seat by gravitation towards the most 

 depending position, presenting a soft, broad surface, without any 

 indication of pointing. I have often seen these collections of 

 pus not only in the lungs of glaudered horses, but in the lungs 

 of horned cattle, that have survived and apparently recovered 

 from pleuro-pneumonia. 



Wounds on the gluteal region, more especially near the 

 tuberosity of the ischium, are apt to cause very extensive infil- 

 tration of pus throughout the inter-muscular areolar tissue of 

 the thigh. Very often, after an apparent recovery from a 

 wound in this region, the lower part of the thigh will begin to 

 swell, and on examination the enlargement will be found to con- 

 tain a large quantity of pus, extending, perliaps, from immediately 

 above the hock to the groin, the pus having burrowed from the 

 wound above, and by gravitation forced its way down among the 

 tendons of the various muscles. Sometimes there are direct 

 signs of pointing, sometimes not. All such collections, wherever 

 situated, should be removed by puncturing the lowest part of 

 the swelling. 



SUPERFICIAL SUPPURATION 



May be witnessed in inflammation of mucous membranes and 

 the skin, and the growth of pus can be clearly traced where 



