108 ORGANISED FLUIDS. 



the application of a blister, and which are always preceded 

 by some degree of inflammation, are also rich in albumen. 

 The very curious observation is made by M. Andral, that in 

 cases where dropsical effusion exists in more than one situa- 

 tion in the same individual, that in each locality the fluid 

 effused may exhibit a very different proportion of albumen. 

 Thus, in a woman attacked with an organic affection of the 

 heart, there were thirty parts of albumen in the fluid of the 

 pericardium, while there were but four parts in the serosity 

 of the cellular tissue of the inferior extremities. 



In having thus ascertained the different modifications in 

 quantity which the three great elements of the blood may 

 undergo, the globules, the fibrin, and the albumen, it yet 

 must be confessed that the pathological history of the blood 

 is still very far from being rendered complete. It is more 

 than probable that rigorous chemical analysis will disclose 

 the fact that the several extractive as well as inorganic sub- 

 stances which exist in the blood vary greatly in amount in 

 the numerous disorders to which the human body is liable. 

 From the great quantity of these substances which are found 

 in the urine, it would appear that the grand purpose fulfilled 

 in the economy by this excretion is that of regulating their 

 amount in the blood, and of reducing it to a standard con- 

 sistent with a physiological condition of the system. 



Into this branch of the pathology of the blood inquirers 

 have as yet scarcely entered ; and there can be no doubt but 

 that investigations instituted in this direction would be 

 attended by the development of many important facts. 



Therapeutical Considerations. 



The practical value to be attached to the various particulars 

 related in the preceding pages on the pathology of the blood, 

 is so obvious that it needs not to be illustrated at any great 

 length. 



The knowledge of the particular element of the blood 

 which in any state of the system or disease may be affected, 

 inasmuch as it discloses the chief cause of such condition or 



