68 INFLAMMATION. 



destructive^ as to disorganize structure, or even extinguish 

 vitality. Or the effects of the inflammatory action may be 

 of the intermediate character, which so far affects structure 

 as to leave it in a state of irremediable impairment. The 

 terminations of inflammation are, resolutio7ij metastasis, 

 suppuration, abscess, ulceration, interstitial deposition, and 

 7no7iification, 



Resolution is the term medical men employ to signify 

 that inflammation has declined without occasioning any ma- 

 terial derangement in the organization. A horse is brought 

 to us with " a sprain of the back sinews/^ we examine the 

 leg, and find it swollen at one particular part, which mani- 

 fests heat and tenderness on pressure. We apply a bandage 

 wet with refrigerant lotion round the leg, and, perhaps, at 

 the same time bleed and purge. The swelling, pain, and 

 heat gradually subside : in other words, inflammation is 

 arrested by the timely employment of remedies. The leg 

 recovers its natural fineness, and the animal goes sound. 

 This constitutes termination by resolution. And another 

 horse, we will suppose, in reaching his head to a high rack, 

 happens to have a hay-seed fall into his eye. Instantly the 

 eye is closed, a flood of tears is discharged, and the animal 

 twists his head about to get rid of the annoyance created 

 by an irritative body sticking in a part so sensitive. Some 

 hours afterwards, the groom, not knowing what has occurred, 

 brings the horse to a veterinary surgeon; who, on everting 

 the upper eyelid, discovers the seed sticking to the conjunc- 

 tive membrane, which by this time has become as red as a 

 piece of scarlet cloth. However, the irritant is removed, 

 and by the following day the eye is seen to have recovered 

 its natural colour and brightness. Here is another instance 

 of termination by resolution. There is, however, an evi- 

 dent difference between this and the case of the sprained 

 leg; inasmuch as in the one instance resolution was accom- 

 plished within the space of twenty-four hours ; while in the 

 other it required a week — perhaps a month — to bring it 

 about. In the case of the eye, inflammation existed in its 

 purest form, consisting in turgescencc of the capillaries, which. 



