214 



INFLAMMATION AND SUPPUKATION 



and no harm results. If, however, .there be a local weakness, 

 they may settle in that part and produce suppuration, and from 

 this other parts of the body may be infected. Such a supposition 

 as this is. necessary to explain many inflammatory and suppura- 

 tive conditions met with clinically. In some cases of multiple 

 suppurations due to staphylococcus infection, only an apparently 

 unimportant surface lesion is present ; whilst in others no lesion 

 can be found to explain the origin of the infection. The term 



Will 



Fig. 51. — Minute focus of commencing suppuration in brain— case 

 of acute ulcerative endocarditis. In the centre a small hemorrhage ; 

 to right side dark masses of staphylococci ; zone of leucocytes at 

 periphery. 



Alum carmine and Gram's method, x 50. 



cryptogenetic has been applied by some writers to such cases in 

 which the original point of infection cannot be found, but its 

 use is scarcely necessary. 



The paths of secondary infection may be conveniently sum- 

 marised thus : First, by lymphatics ; in this way the lymphatic 

 glands may be infected, and also serous sacs in relation to the 

 organs where the primary lesion exists. Second, by natural 

 channels, such as the ureters and the bile ducts, the spread 

 being generally associated with an inflammatory condition of the 



