EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
291 
the lymph ; unless it be that it has taken on organization; and 
that certainly may be regarded as proof of another advance in the 
progress of the case, and as such may be set down in our account 
of its probable duration. At the same time, it must be borne in 
mind, that bloodvessels generate in albuminous effusions in a 
wonderfully short space of time : from twenty to twenty-four 
hours being proved to be sufficient for their formation. Whether 
they become organized or not, however — for organization does 
not always follow — these pastic deposits and processes after a 
time lengthen out and loosen in texture, and display that cellular 
structure denoted as pseudo-membrane, the cells of which are 
usually found filled with yellow serous fluid. This change de- 
notes advance commonly of some days ; and when this, instead 
of organization, takes place, and effusion of serous fluid still con- 
tinues, the case is apt to become sub-acute or chronic, and end in 
hydrothorax ; the issue being probably protracted to the second or 
perhaps the third week. 
Should the inflammation of pleurisy run to an extraordinary 
height — be of the acutest character — instead of serous effusion, 
or at the time that they are pouring forth “ water/’ the capil- 
laries of the pleura will issue pus, and the purulent may be com- 
mingled with the serous effusion, giving that a creamy aspect, 
while at the same time it coats the various layers and masses of 
coagulable lymph ; or, it may collect in considerable quantity in 
one place or more, and so, by being hedged round by solid lymph, 
form abscess : a morbid state of parts most likely to degenerate into 
pulmonary decline, a condition in which, as we all know, our 
patient may live for weeks or even months. On the other hand, 
this intense inflammation of the pleura may hurriedly run into 
gangrene of the membrane, of which we recollect to have had one 
notable instance in the year — 28. A four-year-old horse was 
seized with the usual symptoms of acute pleurisy. The case soon 
betrayed every sign of dissolution, so that it came to an end in the 
short space of forty-eight hours. The pleura costalis shewed the 
intensest inflammation. The pleura pulmonalis — we give it in 
the words recorded — “ exhibited a green hue.” And there were 
from twelve to fourteen pints of serous effusion. 
In pleurisy which has degenerated into, or from the first has 
been, sub-acute or chronic in its character, changes are apt to take 
