OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE. 201 



oesophagus, intestine, and bladder, constituting a false diverti- 

 culum. The mucous membrane also presents other prolonga- 

 tions, depending on its elongation and the laxity of the sub- 

 mucous tissue; such are certain prolongations of the plaits or 

 valvuli conniventes, of the uvula, prolapsus ani, of the vagina, 

 &c. Particular polypi, also appears to be a mere vegetation, 

 or hypertrophy of the membrane and sub-mucous tissue; but 

 generally there is an accidental tissue produced. Tumours of 

 the. eye-lids, of the amygdalae, and of the uvulae vesicae, should 

 be regarded as a hypertrophy of this membrane and its folli- 

 cles. 



283. The mucous membrane is very subject to a serous 

 and mucous discharge, which constitutes the phlegmorrhagies 

 and blennorrheae without inflammation. The sub-mucous tis- 

 sue itself, although rarely, is subject to an oedema or serous 

 infiltration. This membrane is frequently the seat of hemor- 

 rhage or bloody discharges; the sub-mucous tissue is also 

 sometimes in a state of ecchymosis. It is also certain that it is 

 the seat of a gaseous evolution or secretion. 



2S4. Inflammation is very common in it, under all its 

 forms. Its anatomical characters, are increased redness, some- 

 times verging to a brown; a degree of thickening, generally 

 slight, but variable, and proportioned to the duration of the 

 disease; a softening more or less marked; and sometimes an 

 enormous augmentation of the villosities. The most usual re- 

 sult of this inflammation, is an augmentation of the quantity 

 of the mucus, and of a change in its qualities. This catarrhal 

 inflammation often degenerates intophlegmorrhea or blennor- 

 rhea. Suppurative inflammation also frequently occurs in it; 

 the membrane without being ulcerated secretes mucus and 

 pus, or even pure pus alone. Abscesses are also sometimes 

 found in the sub-mucous cellular tissue. The plastic inflam- 

 mation is less frequent. It is, however, frequently observed 

 in the trachea and bronchiss, where it constitutes croup, and 

 not unfrequently in the alimentary canal, the intestines, blad- 

 der, urethra, and sometimes even in the eyes. The organ iza- 

 ble matter is usually excreted in pieces, or membranes, of suf- 

 ficient size and consistence to have been taken for the internal 



