EXUDATIONS. 187 



the cavity of the pleura, or the pericardium, or in the substance of 

 the lungs, or in pleuritis, peritonitis, or pneumonitis, should remain ; 

 the sooner it is reabsorbed, the better. In case of non-inflammatory 

 exudations, however, it is usually desirable that they remain and 

 become organized into new tissue, since they alone afford the ma- 

 terials for repair. We should receive the idea of J. Vogel, that a 

 coagulated exudation is dissolved, before reabsorption, by another 

 exudation, called the "solvent," with doubt. 



2. Either inflammatory or non-inflammatory exudations may be- 

 come organized; the latter into tissues more nearly resembling the 

 normal, since they, when normal in composition, are euplastic. In 

 case of the inflammatory exudations (which have been most studied), 

 coagulation of the fibrine is always the first step towards organiza- 

 tion, the fibrillation becoming more distinct than it is in the normal 

 coagulation of healthy blood; and exudation-cells and glomeruli 

 (Fig. 59) being subsequently developed among them, if permanent 

 new tissues are to be formed. Thus indurations, false membranes, 

 &c., are produced as sequelae of inflammations. On the other hand, 

 euplastic (non-inflammatory) exudations are organized into tissues 

 more nearly resembling the original, as in the healing of wounds 

 by adhesion or "first intention." This form of organization is, 

 therefore, to be regarded as an ascending metamorphosis of the 

 exudation. It, however, when occurring on mucous membranes, 

 proceeds no further than fibrillation, and to the subsequent develop- 

 ment of cells, perhaps. The false membrane (so called) in croup 

 never becomes vascular; and therefore, since it has no constant 

 supply of nourishment from the blood, is always spontaneously 

 detached if the patient's life is prolonged. But in case of inflam- 

 mation on serous membranes, well-organized false membranes are 

 frequently found, as will appear. (Ch. XL Sect. IY.) 



3. Both kinds of exudations are liable to become converted into 

 corpuscles, instead of fibres, and then into pus. Especially is this 

 the case if they are exposed to the action of the atmosphere. In 

 this case, exudation- or pus-corpuscles are usually developed in the 

 exudation, without any previous coagulation; and hence Paget 

 terms it the corpuscular, and Eokitansky the croupous exudation. 

 It usually contains more fat, and the fluid part is mostly absorbed 

 after the corpuscles are formed. The formation of pus in an exu- 

 dation is sometimes said to be characteristic of the "suppurative 

 inflammation." It is, in fact, mere suppuration i. e. the production 



