INFLAMMATION. 489 



the blood or the fixed connective tissue cell embedded in the fibers, it 

 multiplies in the same way. The nucleus in the center is divided into 

 two, and then each again into two, ad infinitum. If the process is 

 slow, each new cell may assimilate nourishment and become, like its 

 ancestor, an aid in the formation of new tissues; if, however, the 

 changing takes place rapidly, the brood of young cells have not time 

 to grow or use up the surrounding nourishment, and, but half devel- 

 oped, they die, and we then have destruction of tissue, and pus or 

 matter is formed, a material made up of the imperfect dead elements 

 and the broken-down tissue. Between the two there is an interme- 

 diate form, where we have imperfectly formed tissues, as in " proud 

 flesh," large, soft splints ; fungous growths, greasy heels, and thrush. 



Whether the inflamed tissue is one like the skin, lungs, or intes- 

 tines, very loose in their texture, or a tendon or bone, dense in struc- 

 ture, and comparatively poor in blood vessels, the principle of the 

 process is the same. The effects, however, and the appearance may 

 be widely different. After a cut on the face or an exudation into the 

 lungs, the loose tissues and multiple vessels allow the proliferating 

 cells to obtain rich nourishment; absorption can take place readily, 

 and the part regains its normal condition entirely, while a bruise at 

 the heel or at the withers finds a dense, inextensible tissue where the 

 multiplying elements and exuded fluids choke up all communication, 

 and the parts die (necrose) from want of blood and cause a serious 

 quittor, or fistula. 



This effect of structure of a part on the same process shows the 

 importance of a perfect knowledge in the study of a local trouble, and 

 the indispensable part which such knowledge plays in judging of the 

 gravity of an inflammatory disease, and in formulating a prognosis or 

 opinion of the final termination of it. It is this which allows the vet- 

 erinarian, through his knowledge of the intimate structure of a part 

 and the relations of its elements, to judge of the severity of a disease, 

 and to prescribe different modes of treatment in two animals for trou- 

 bles which appear to the less experienced observer to be absolutely 

 identical. 



Termination of inflammation. Like congestion, inflammation may 

 terminate by resolution. In this case the exuded lymph undergoes 

 chemical change, and the products are absorbed and carried off by the 

 blood vessels and lymphatics, to be thrown out of the body by the 

 kidneys, liver, the glands of the skin, and the other excretory organs. 

 The cells, which have wandered into the neighboring tissues from the 

 blood vessels, gradually disappear or become transformed into fixed 

 cells. Those which are the result of the tissue cells, wakened into 

 active life, follow the same course. The vessels themselves contract, 

 and, having resumed their normal caliber, the part apparently reas- 

 sumes its normal condition; but it is always weakened, and a new 



