FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OP DISEASE. 35 



bles which, to the less experienced observer, appear to be absolutely 

 identical. 



TermmaUon of vnfiammvaMon. — Like congestion, inflammation may 

 terminate by resolution. In this case the exuded lymph undergoes 

 chemical change, and the products are absorbed and carried off by 

 the blood vessels and lymphatics, to be thrown out of the body by the 

 kidneys, liver, the glands of the skin, and the other excretory organs. 

 The cells, which have wandered into the neighboring tissues from the 

 blood vessels, gradually disappear or become transformed into fixed 

 cells. Those which are the result of the tissue cells, wakened into 

 active life, follow the same course. The vessels themselves contract, 

 and, having resumed their normal caliber, the part apparently reas- 

 siunes its normal condition; but it is always weakened, and a new 

 inflammation is more liable to reappear in a previously inflamed part 

 than in a sound one. The alternate termination is necrosis, or morti- 

 fication. If the necrosis, or death of a part, is gradual, by small 

 stages, each cell losing its vitality after the other in more or less 

 rapid succession, it takes the name of ulceration. If it occurs in a 

 considerable part at once, it is called gangrene. If this death of the 

 tissues occurs deep in the organism, and the destroyed elements and 

 proliferated and dead cells are inclosed in a cavity, the result of the 

 process is called an abscess. When it occurs on a surface, it is an 

 ulcer, and an abscess by breaking on the exterior becomes then also 

 an ulcer. Proliferating and dying cells, and the fluid which exudes 

 from an ulcerating surface and the debris of broken-down tissue is 

 known as pus, and the process by which this is formed is known as 

 suppuration. A mass of dead tissue in a soft part is termed a slough, 

 while the same in bone is called a sequestrum. Such changes are 

 especially liable to occur when the part becomes infected with micro- 

 organisms that have the property of destroying tissue and thus caus- 

 ing the production of pus. These are known as pyogenic micro- 

 organisms. There are also bacilli that are capable of multiplying in 

 tissues and so irritating them as to cause them to die (necrose) with- 

 out forming pus. 



Treaimsnt of infiannmation. — The study of the causes and patho- 

 logical alterations of inflammation has shown the process to be one 

 of hypemutrition, attended by excessive blood supply, so this study 

 will indicate the primary factor to be employed in the treatment 

 of it. Any agent which will reduce the blood supply and prevent 

 the excessive nutrition of the elements of the part will serve as a 

 remedy. The means employed may be used locally to the part, or 

 they may be constitutional remedies, which act indirectly. 



Local treatment.- — Removal of the cause will frequently allow the 

 part to heal at once. Among causes of inflammation may be men- 

 tioned a stone in the frog, causing a traumatic thrush ; a badly fitting 



