KINDS OF INFLAMMATION. 81 



linked together are the difiPerent organs of the body ; so 

 reciprocally dependent for their general welfare on each 

 other; that it is but natural to expect diseased action in 

 one should occasion disorder in others, or in the system 

 altogether. Although local inflammation may go on either 

 in the nervous or vascular system, yet is it readily diffusible 

 from a part to the whole; for as these two systems act to- 

 gether, and execute the principal operations of the body, so 

 we need not feel surprised if we sometimes subdue a local 

 affection by a remedy which acts on the constitution at large. 

 Secondary affections are denominated sympathetic or consti- 

 tutional, and are generally comprehended under the term 

 fever J which head I shall now proceed to investigate. 



KINDS OF INFLAMMATION. 



Inflammation is either common or specific — in other words, 

 it is either healthy or unhealthy. The first, common inflam- 

 mation, presents itself in every ordinary case of accident. 

 The second, specific inflammation, derives its name from 

 peculiarities which are of such a nature as will not be en- 

 countered in common inflammation : such are specific 

 ophthalmia, glanders, farcy, &c. Although these specifics 

 are brought in one class, yet do they not possess any simi- 

 larity, therefore every one may be regarded as an inflammation 

 sui generis, or separate from all others. Catarrh consists in 

 common inflammation of the membrane lining the nose : 

 glanders in a sj^ecific inflammation of the same part. In 

 like manner, we have common ophthalmia arising from ex- 

 ternal injury ; and specific ophthalmia generated by a con- 

 taminated atmosphere. Notwithstanding these inflamma- 

 tions are different in their natures, it seems one may super- 

 vene upon another ; thus we see glanders succeeding catarrh, 

 though I do not remember ever having witnessed a case of 

 common inflammation of the eye degenerating into specific 

 ophthalmia. 



