8 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



plied to the body is always attended with a hardness of the 

 pulse and is most effectually taken off by the relaxing power 

 of blood-letting. From these circumstances, it seems probable, 

 that the diathesis phlogistica consists in an increased tone, or 

 contractility, and perhaps in an increased contraction of the 

 muscular fibres of the whole arterial system. Such a state of 

 the system seems often to arise, and subsist for some time, 

 without the apparent inflammation of any particlar part ; but 

 such a state of the system renders it likely that a spasm may, 

 at the same time, readily arise in any of the extreme vessels, 

 and a particular inflammation be there produced. It does, 

 however, appear also that the general diathesis frequently arises 

 from inflammation begun in a particular part. 



" Phlegmasise and fevers essentially differ in this, that the 

 one is necessarily, and the other only accidentally and more 

 rarely accompanied with the phlogistic diathesis in the whole 

 system : further, that in the phlegmasiae it is not preceded by 

 the symptoms of debility as in fevers, nor is it ever accompanied 

 with the tendency to putrefaction so common in fevers ; it is 

 more pure and simple, and does not, as far as we can perceive, 

 depend upon any foreign matter introduced, nor does it afford 

 any contagion. From the general character of the year or sea- 

 son, these diseases may be supposed to be epidemic, but they 

 are never contagious, and for the most part may be considered 

 as constantly sporadic." 



CCXLVIII. I have thus endeavoured, in the case of inflam- 

 mation, to explain the state of the whole system as well as that 

 of the part more particularly affected. The latter I have con- 

 sidered as when in its first formation ; but after it has subsisted 

 for some time, various changes take place in the part affected ; 

 and of these I must now take notice. 



SECT. III. OF THE TERMINATIONS OF INFLAMMATION. 



CCXLIX. If an inflammation be cured while the state and 

 texture of the part remain entire, the disease is said to be ter- 

 minated by RESOLUTION. 



This happens when the previous congestion and spasm have 

 been in a moderate degree, and the increased impetus of he 



