Page 129 - My FlipBook

INFLAMMATION.
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undergoing solution ; the pus from epithelial tumors, indolent
ulcers, and phagedenic ulcers, is thin and sanious, and contains
more or less dead tissue, which prevents the repair.
Thin, watery, acrid pus is termed " ichorous," and is common
to chronic ulcers, bone diseases, etc. Thin, watery pus from in-
flamed mucous membrane, is termed " muco-pus." Thin, watery
pus, containing fibrin and coming from serous membranes, is termed
" sero-pus." Thick, ropy pus from syphilitic abscesses, is termed
•'gummy pus." Sanious pus, containing flakes of coagulated fi-
brin, common to chronic abscesses, and bone disease, is termed
" curdy " or " cheesy " pus.
Abscess.—The term abscess denotes a collection of pus in the
substance of the tissues, surrounded by a wall of lymph. The
formation of the acute form is as follows : The exciting cause,
acting as an irritant, induces an afflux of blood to the centre of
the affection, and the distended capillaries pour out liquid exuda-
tion, which coagulates at this centre into plastic lymph, expand-
ing the meshes of the neighboring surrounding tissues with a
more serous fluid.
Leucocytes are formed from cell proliferation in the plastic
lymph ; but, on account of their not being in a proper place for
their growth and development into tissue, they become changed
into pus, which collects in a cavity formed by it, and the result
is an abscess. As these phenomena occur in rather quick suc-
cession, pain, heat, redness and swelling are present, and also
constitutional disturbance in the form of hectic fever.
The increase of an abscess in size is attended with a certain
amount of redness on the surface over it and to which it is ap-
proaching, this increasing redness being preceded by more or less
oedema of the tissue beneath, which is owing to the protruding of
the serous exudation surrounding the central collection of pus.
The centre of the surface redness then presents a more prominent
and elevated point, where the outer tissue becomes thinner,
purplish, or livid, and soon the yellow pus within is visible
through it—a condition to which the term pointing is applied.
Soon after the " pointing," the integument gives way, and the
pus exudes through the opening thus made.