164 MlTl.RINARY 1\\T1I0L0GY. 



been observed in myocarditis. This causes a separation of the 

 heart muscle cells, i. e., fragmentation, \\-hich seriously inter- 

 feres with their function. The striations of muscle cells fre- 

 quently disappear as a result of inflammation. 



Xccrosis lineal death). — All degenerations produce impair- 

 ment of function and frecjuently end in necrosis of the affected 

 cells. Destruction of tissue is a common result of inflammation 

 because of the various degenerations that accompany the in- 

 flammatorv process. Suppuration is a type of inflammation and 

 is a liquifying necrosis. Necrosis of inflammatory tissue often 

 occurs independently of suppuration, though both conditions 

 result from the same cause. Destroyed tissue constitutes a fac- 

 tor in the future changes that occur in the alTected tissue. 

 Superficial necrotic tissue is usually cast olT. L'lceration is the 

 conditinn resulting from a continuous and sometimes a pro- 

 gressive cellular necrosis. An ulcer is a denuded surface result- 

 ing fnim continuous and sometimes a progressive cellular 

 necr( isis. 



Sulisurface necrotic tissue mav be disintegrated or dissolved, 

 ar.fl pass out of the afTected area in the exudate or he carried 

 out 1)\- phagocvtes ; necrotic tissue may become surrounded and 

 permeated bv large numbers of leucocvtes which liberate dis- 

 siih-ing ferments, thus forming an al)scess ; this liquefied necro- 

 tic mass mav become inspissated, a condition termed caseation ; 

 the necrotic tissue mav become impregnated with calcium salts, 

 denominated calcification ; finally, the necrotic tissue ma\' be- 

 come dissolved and encapsulated, thus forming a cyst. 



Rcqcucratioii. — This jirocess usuallv begins when degenera- 

 tion ceases, although it mav be evident from the first. Cells 

 concerned in regeneration undergo a reversionary change, be- 

 coming similar to embr\-f)nic cells. Reproduction is an active. 

 \-ital propert\' of embr^■onic cells, and this is also the principal 

 function of regenerating cells. The appearance of a tissue con- 

 taining an exudate with the succeeding degeneration has l)een 

 pre\'ioush' discussed. A concise comprehension of such tissue 

 is essential to a clear conception of the appearance of regenera- 

 tirin in an inflammator\- Z(ine. Whether degenerated cells are 

 capable of regeneration de]:)ends upon the kind of cells and the 

 extent of the injury tij them. Regeneration of tissues impaired 

 or destroyed bv acute inflammation consists in the enlargement 

 and proliferation of the contiguous uninjured cells. The exu- 

 date is usually diminished in quantity at this stage. Prolifera- 

 tion in tissues afTected with chronic inflammation is, in reality, 

 a fibrous hyperplasia. Cirrhosis of any structure is usually the 



