MR. C. CLARK TO THE EDITOR. 
103 
afford a perceptible injection of the vessels; and instead of the 
abscess originating in several distinct points, a single collection of 
fluid appears in one or more of the areolae of the cellular tissue, 
possessing from the first an evident fluctuation. The appearance 
of the parts affected is more a simple deviation from the normal 
nutritive action, in some cases, than that of true phlogosis. The 
vital endowment of the parts, instead of attracting the nutritive 
particles, and the vessels imparting them in suitable condition, 
and secreting a liquid appropriate to the parts in a state of health, 
are altered to a certain extent, and fail to accomplish this end; or, 
in other words, the peculiar fluid furnished by the vessels, and 
apparently consisting of the particles or globules of the blood, would, 
under the influence of healthy vital endowment, have been applied 
to the nourishment and growth of the tissues, and the exhalation 
of the aqueous fluid destined to lubricate and facilitate their func- 
tions. The pus formed in this variety of slow abscess, and under 
the influence of this low grade of irritation, is commonly of a serous 
quality, yellowish colour, and transparent; containing albuminous 
flocculi, or matter of a fibrinous nature. Occasionally shreds of a 
cellular-like substance are observed floating in the fluid. When 
the formation of the abscess is very slow, its consistence is more 
like unto liquid honey, and more opaque, and there seems a con- 
necting link between this tumour and the steatoma, and differing 
but little from abscesses divested of active inflammatory action ; 
only in the consistence of the fluid they contain. The redness and 
vascularity external of the cyst is trifling, and the integument 
immediately over the tumour, through which fluctuation is easily 
detected, is moveable, free, and unaltered; the whole morbid action 
is centered and apparently confined to the diseased tissue enclosing 
the morbid fluid. 
[To be continued.] 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Sir, — The enclosed letter (perhaps with some slight variations 
in recopying) was despatched to you for the last November number; 
and I thought little of its non-appearance for a time; but, at length, 
it seems certain that some mistake has occurred in its transmission, 
for which I cannot account, but sincerely regret the delay. 
Yours, &c., 
Veterinary Infirmary, Giltspur Street, CHARLES CLARK. 
Jan. 6, 1839. 
[The paper referred to never reached the Editor. He is sorry for 
it. No letter, addressed to him, at his residence, can well go 
wrong. — E d.] 
