Medical morbid anatomy and pathology / by Hugh Thursfield and William P.S. Branson.

  • Thursfield, Hugh.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Medical morbid anatomy and pathology / by Hugh Thursfield and William P.S. Branson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/302 page 7
    (l>) The Fluid Exudate. The fluid exudate of inflammation differs from ordinary lymph in being richer in proteids, approximating in this respect to blood-plasma. This protoid richness is in part attributable to the leucocytes and tissue-cells which become disintegrated within the exudate, in part to an increased transudation from the distended capillaries of the area concerned. In addition the fluid exudate contains digestive ferments and bactericidal substances. It is usually rich in fibrin-forming elements (except in the case of very virulent bacterial infections), and tends to coagulate, especially upon serous and mucous surfaces, but also within the tissues. Some varieties of bacterial infec- tion excite fibrin-formation to a much more pronounced degree than others, the diphtheria bacillus and the pneumococcus being especially gifted in this respect. The functions of the fluid exudate are (with others, which are in dispute) the following : 1. It flushes the injured area and dilutes the irritant. 2. The development of fibrin within it tends to limit the spread of inflammation. 3. It exercises a digestive function, by virtue of the cells disintegrated within it, and thus aids in the removal of dead products of irritation. 4. It probably contains substances, similarly derived from cells, capable of hindering the growth of bacteria. III. Sequelae of Inflammation. 1. Resolution. 2. Suppuration. 3. Gangrene. 4. Fibrosis. 1. Resolution.—The term “ Resolution ” has no strict pathological significance, but is commonly and conveniently used to describe a rapidly-established ascendancy of the defensive over the destructive forces at work. Both the irritant and the dead products of its activity are rapidly removed : there is at no time a gross accumulation of necrotic
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