ON ABSCESS. 
99 
existence of most of the diseases of the horse, and their remarks 
are far from being unworthy of notice ; but their pathology, for the 
most part of it, constitutes the worst portion of their works ; and 
notwithstanding we have progressed considerably in this part of our 
studies, and made extensive acquirements, we still lack much prac- 
tical information. It is for this reason I hope to be excused a few 
remarks on the nature of this secondary form of disease designated 
abscess ; not that I presume to offer any thing new, but that I 
may, in a trifling degree, share in the duties of my profession, and 
lend a helping hand to support our only and indispensable vete- 
rinary Journal. I consider this a day of which we ought to be 
highly proud, to know that a most valuable source of acquirement 
exists amongst us, in the full establishment of an Association hav- 
ing for its object the advancement of true science ; and, more 
especially, that the result of its meetings, and the subject and sub- 
stance of its discussions, has a medium for dissemination. I for one 
feel much gratified with this our present position ; and begin to 
think myself more than formerly honoured, by being a member of 
a profession now rapidly advancing, both in rank, estimation, and 
respectability, and feel spurred to do something, however trivial, for 
its benefit and support. And now to the subject of abscess. 
I define this disease to be a collection of purulent fluid, deposited 
in the structure of an organ or part, but never an original disease, 
being invariably the effect of inflammatory action, produced by irri- 
tation of the part in which it is seated. The abscesses with which 
we have most to do are the phlegmonous, or acute, and chronic; 
one which I shall call symptomatic, and another the consecutive 
abscess. In the inflammatory abscess, the temperature is increased,, 
and the part tumefied in proportion and degree with the injection 
of the circulating fluid into the irritated vessels, and upon the vio- 
lence of the irritation the increase of fluid depends. At the com- 
mencement of the inflammatory action, the blood, or any portion of 
its constituent, does not proceed beyond the vessels through which 
it has been conveyed ; but after a time, and when the tone and 
vital cohesion of their extremities is much weakened by disten- 
tion, together with the tissues in which they circulate, some por- 
tion of the more fluid part of the blood escapes into the cellular 
structure of the affected part, rendering it more firm and dense by 
infiltration and combination with its constituent elements. While* 
this change is taking place in the part inflamed, the vital elasticity 
of it is diminishing, the tissues soften, and are easily torn by pres- 
sure, or lacerated by ligature. Provided the inflammatory action 
is not by some cause stopped here, the diseased part quickly passes 
from this dense but friable state into a pulpy condition, by the 
increasing extravasation of the fluid parts of the blood, and occa- 
