Dr. Pearson’s Observations 
3 oS 
particles visible only by the microscope in this opaque oxide, 
and in small number in the limpid fluid ; not coagulable by 
any temperature to which hitherto exposed, and not destructible 
by many things which combine or destroy the opaque oxide ; 
and these globules are specifically heavier than water.* 
2. That the visible curdy masses, as well as the fibrous or 
leafy parts, almost always contained in smaller or larger 
quantities in pus, may be considered as self- coagulated 
lymph, which in its fluid state is secreted without having the 
state of aggregation produced in it like that of the essential 
opaque oxide of pus.— Sect. VII. i. 
3. That the reddish, the blackish, and the dark brown 
colour of pus depends upon the red part of the blood effused 
or secreted from the same vessels, or from contiguous ones 
which secrete pus. 
4. That on some occasions the clotty and irregularly figured 
masses found in the pus may depend upon disorganization or 
breach of the contiguous solid parts. 
5. That whenever pus is foetid to the smell, a portion of it 
is in the state of putrefactive fermentation, which may be 
removed by ablutions with water. 
6. That there are certain adventitious matters liable to be 
contained in pus not hitherto rendered palpable to the senses, 
but known by their effects in exciting contagious diseases ; 
such as small-pox, syphilis, & c. These matters are produced 
by a specific action in the secretory organs of pus, by such 
* My obligingly attentive pupils, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Stansfeld, house-sur- 
geons of the Lock hospital, collected for me a sufficient quantity of gonorrheal matte? 
to determine that it consisted of the three ingredients here stated. 
