CHARACTER AND TENDENCY OF INFLAMMATION. 83 



larity possessed by them. Under chronic inflammation, 

 they manifest a disposition to pour out a yellow transparent 

 fluid ; occasionally they do this in very considerable quanti- 

 ties, as is evinced in hydrothorax, ascites, hydrocephalus, 

 and anasarca. Under a higher degree of inflammation, 

 coagulable lymph is eff'used with the fluid, in the form of 

 shreds or bands, often glueing the contiguous surfaces to- 

 gether, or else in a regular plastic layer, enveloping the 

 surface of the original texture ; we have frequent opportu- 

 nities of seeing this in fatal cases of pleuris}^, also in roar- 

 ing, and acute or chronic dysentery. Under very violent 

 inflammation the efi'used fluid is in its appearance turbid 

 and reddish, evidently from the admixture of blood and 

 purulent matter, drops and patches of which last may often 

 be detected clinging to the surface of the membrane. 



This diff'erence in the Effects of Inflammation on 

 Mucous AND Serous Textures is of immense importance. 

 Let us but for one moment reverse the cases. Let us sup- 

 pose mucous membranes were as prone as serous ones to 

 efl'use coagulable lymph : every time the animal caught cold, 

 he would be liable to suff'ocation from solid matter in the 

 nose or windpipe ! And did the serous membranes secrete 

 such purulent matters as are produced by mucous surfaces, 

 so great would be the irritation that mortification and death 

 would inevitably ensue. Thus we perceive infinite wisdom 

 displayed in the operations of disease. 



Inflammation in Fibrous Membranes is most apt to 

 assume the chronic form. Its prominent characteristics are, 

 interstitial effusion, and proneness to run into ossific changes. 

 In cases of inflamed periosteum, of cartilage, or of ligament 

 itself, osseous deposition is almost certain to result, and a 

 bony tumour left to mark the spot where the disease had 

 been. This accounts for the production of splints, spavins, 

 ringbones, anchylosed joints, and other exostoses. 



Inflammation in Synovial Membranes is characterised 

 by a suppression of their natural secretion — synovia — and 

 by the commencement of caries or ulceration of the bone. 

 Sometimes coagulated lymph is thrown out : this first glues 



