88 OKGANISED FLUIDS, 



system, the impression produced on it impinging upon the 

 structures to which the ultimate nervous fibrillse are distri- 

 buted, viz. the vessels in the which a series of results ensue 

 which together constitute the condition of inflammation. 



Proximate Cause. 



When the white and the red corpuscles of the blood accu- 

 mulate in the capillaries of a part in normal quantity, those 

 vessels may be considered to be in a state of " vital tur- 

 gescence;" when, however, they are present in those vessels 

 in abnormal proportion, then the capillaries may be said to 

 be in a state of " inflammatory turgescence." 



Now the term " congestion" indicates a condition of the 

 vessels intermediate between vital and inflammatory turges- 

 cence, and which may be denominated " congestive turges- 

 cence." 



In vital turgescence, a phrase which indicates the condition 

 of the vessels in a state of normal nutrition, the capillaries 

 are slightly increased in calibre, and are pervaded by an 

 unusual, though perfectly normal number of corpuscles, both 

 red and white, but especially of the latter, some of which 

 adhere to the walls of the vessels. 



In congestive turgescence, or in congestion, the calibre of 

 the capillaries is more considerably increased in size, and a 

 greater and abnormal number of white and red corpuscles, 

 especially the former, are collected in the vessels. These cor- 

 puscles, if the turgescence terminates in resolution without 

 advancing to the condition of inflammation, do not undergo 

 any structural changes, but enter again into the circulation, 

 their removal being determined by the discontinuance of the 

 exciting cause, and by the vis a tergo of the circulation, which 

 drives the corpuscles onwards. 



Lastly, in inflammatory turgescence the diameter is very 

 considerably enlarged, and their interior is filled with a very 

 greatly increased and abnormal quantity of white and red 

 corpuscles, these accumulating to such an extent as either 

 to seriously obstruct, or altogether destroy, the circulation in 



