I 



INFLAMMATION. 99 



effects sometimes succeed each other in the same case, and often 

 in the order in which they are here mentioned. 



Resolution is when, either with treatment or without it, inflam- 

 mation subsides or terminates in health, without the supervention 

 of the other sequela) ; and it is that termination which we are 

 generally desirous of effecting by our treatment. 



Adhesion is the dej)Osition of the fi brine or adhesive principle 

 of the blood on the surface of a diseased part, and may be excm- 

 ])lified by the healing of a wound by the first intention, and the 

 formation of new substance, or the union of old substances, in 

 the chest or al)domen, after inflammation in those parts. 



Circumscribed cavities, such as the chest and abdomen, have a 

 disposition to adhesio?i in preference to suppuration ; but when 

 both these sequehe occur in the same part, adhesion usually 

 precedes suppuration. 



An effusion of serous fluid is also a frequent termination of 

 inflammation of the membrane of the chest or abdomen. 



Suppuration, or the secretion of pus or matter, is a termination 

 of inflammation to which internal canals, such as the bowels, 

 urethra, or windpipe, are particularly disposed. In these parts, 

 when both suppuration and adhesion takes j)lace, the former 

 always precedes the latter, contrary to the course which takes 

 place in circumsci'ibed cavities, and likewise in external wounds. 



The best illustration of suppuration is the formation of an 

 abscess. An injury is received, inflammation follows, and blood 

 and serum is effused, and is succeeded by the deposition of 

 matter under the skin, or amongst the muscles ; the abscess 

 bursts, or is opened, the matter is evacuated, and the vacant 

 space is healed by the adhesive process. 



The adipose membrane is particularly disposed to take on the 

 suppurative process, whilst the cellular membrane has a greater 

 disposition to adhesion. 



Ulceration is a sequel of inflammation that may occur with 

 suppuration, or independently of it. It consists in the absorption 

 or removal of substance. Ulceration always occurs in abscesses 

 before they burst ; the substance between the matter and the 

 surface is gradually removed by ulceration, at the place where 

 the abscess j)oints. Thus it is a useful process of nature, though 

 often a troublesome disease. An ulcer is a running sore, which 

 may be healthy, and have a disposition to heal ; or unhealthy, 

 and be disposed to enlarge and extend. 



The cavities of joints, when exceedingly inflamed, have a tend- 

 ency to both ulceration and adhesion, either together or sepa- 

 rately, an illustration of which is often afforded by the navicular 

 joint disease. 



Besides the terminations we have mentioned, inflammation 

 may end in gangrene, or the death of the part. 



