134 DISEASES OF THE LUNGS. 



is rendered turbid by the lymph floating in it; while in 

 others^ it is red from being tinged with blood ; and I have seen 

 it of a sort of milky or whey colour, from the commixture 

 of purulent matter (likewise discharged from the surface 

 of the membrane) which will also occasionally communicate 

 a bad odour to it. In many cases in which lymphy or 

 fibrinous matters are found mingled with it, the fluid is of 

 that albuminous character that, on being set by to cool, it 

 will in a short time coagulate. Its quantity will vary in 

 diff'erent cases from a few pints to several gallons. Com- 

 monly, some is found in both sides of the chest ; now and 

 then, however, it is efi'used but on one side. In general, the 

 fluid being unconfined, gravitates to those parts of the 

 cavity which are lowermost, such being the sternal or the 

 costal region of the thorax, according as the animal happens 

 to be in a standing or a lying posture. I have, however, 

 seen the fluid, or part of it, walled in by the efi'used lymph 

 so completely that, like the pus within an abscess, it was 

 confined to one place. We will prosecute this subject when 

 we come to Hydrothorax. 



The LYMPH, when first efi'used, consists of masses of 

 gelatinous or albuminous matter, impregnated with serous 

 fiuid, variously disposed ; sometimes in bands or filaments 

 athwart the cavity, from the lungs to the ribs, intersecting 

 or partitioning the interval into several most irregular com- 

 partments, the whole, in its apparently deranged or fortuitous 

 condition, resembling nothing so much as the hanging of 

 cobwebs ; at other times, in sorts of granulated or filamentous 

 tunics, clothing both surfaces of the lung, and forming an 

 entire interior lining to the cavity, and in many cases 

 coating the exterior of the pericardium as well, such layers 

 or coatings being what we are to understand by the ap- 

 pellation, false membranes. In addition to this are often 

 to be perceived masses and flocks or strings of lymph floating 

 about in the water, or from their weight gravitating to the 

 bottom of the cavity. I believe this fresh lymph may become 

 re-absorbed. In general, however, it remains, and acquires 

 increased consistence, and undergoes a gradual process 



