158 Veterinary Elements. 



the succession of changes taking place in a living tissue, 

 the result of injury, provided that injury is not severe 

 enough to at once destroy the vitality and structure of the 

 tissue; briefly it is the reaction of the tissues after injury. 

 The signs of inflammation, viz. : Pain, heat, redness and 

 swelling are familiar to all; the pain being due to the 

 pressure on the nerves of the part, the redness and heat 

 to the increased supply of blood at the part, the swelling 

 to the exudation of lymph. The process is as follows: 

 The blood supply to a part is increased, the circulation 

 eventually becomes slower, and the blood vessels en- 

 gorged; the red cells accumulate in the center of the 

 stream, and owing to the pressure there is escape of the 

 white cells and some of the plasma. The injury becomes 

 repaired in several ways, these white cells may absorb the 

 wasted material and be taken away by the lymphatics, 

 or the cells of the part may absorb the white cells; if the 

 white cells are too numerous to be thus removed, they 

 may die and be thrown off as matter (pus). If the 

 exudation into the tissues is allowed to remain there, 

 it will coagulate, due to the fibrin, and as a result forma- 

 tion of fibrous bands (adhesions) which may cause 

 permanent enlargement of a part; thus interfering with 

 its movement, circulation and therefore its nutrition. 

 The best way to remove the exudation is by applying 

 pressure to the parts, this must, however, be done before 

 the exudate becomes solid. 



