Syllabus prepared for the use of the class / by S. Henry Dickson.

  • Dickson, Samuel Henry, 1798-1872.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Syllabus prepared for the use of the class / by S. Henry Dickson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    itself and return to a natural condition; the irritated part may be sooth- ed into tranquillity without any exhibition of vascular excitement; or this may be so temporary and transient, as not to deserve the name of in- flammation. The redness from slight friction on the surface, or from acupuncture, is not inflammatory any more than the vascular excitement of the whole system from wme or exercise, is properly fever. All inflammation is in nature morbid, as we know both from the symptoms and the results. Surgeons recognize a healthy inflammation, but the phrase is rude and unscientific. Union of opposite surfaces by the organization of elfused lymph or fibrin, is made incidentally useful in surgical operations. as for the cure of hydrocele, artificial anus, &c; but can no more be call- ed healthy inflammation, than that which unites the pleura costalis with the pleura pulmonalis—indeed they are absolutely identical. Union by the first intention, has been attributed to inflammation, but incorrectly. Tbe vessels of divided surfaces are placed in apposition, so that circulation goes on, and among the other functions, restoration is effected by the de- posit of nutritious matter from the vessels. A finger or piece of flesh being cut off and replaced, sometimes adheres. But in this case union must pre- cede inflammation., or only one surface can inflame. Indeed inflammation impedes the occurrence of union by first intention. It occurs always to a certain extent no doubt, but merley as a coincident effect of the violence applied to a living body. Inflammation formerly attributed to spasm of the vessels—error loci of part of the blood, lentor or inspissation of that fluid. It is probable that spasm of the excited vessels does take place; that is, that they act more or less irregularly or convulsively when thus irritated. Error loci we know to exist, for the red globules are seen in vessels which did not previously admit them; but this is an event or consequence of inflammation rather than a cause. There is no proof of lentor or Inspis- sation of the blood. The circulation in the part, so far as we know, is not obstructed notably. The general symptoms of inflammation are the same, whether its seat be internal or external—Pain, Redness, Swelling, Heat, Throbbing. The pain differs in kind and degree according to the structure of the part affected, its sensibility, and the general sensibility of the patient. It is in propor- tion to the suddenness and extent of the changes which take place, being of course greater in acute than chronic cases. It results from the excite- ment of the vessels of the nerves, which, by their dilatation, produce ten- sion and pressure on the nerves. The redness and swelling arc easily accounted for by reference to the vascular fulness and determination which exist. The Jieat of the part 'u somewhat heightened, as depending on the vascularity of the part, and the form and fulness of local circulation. It never can be higher than the h i of the interior of the body, and is most notably increased at the fart point from the heart. Throbbing results from the admission of a fori ; current, impelled by the heart into vess< is which were before too smal admit of such impulse. The local effects of in&aipiaatioii are modified by the structure t I part in which it occurs, and by the nature of the cause which has ced it. in illustration of the first, we may refer to what are call terminations of inflammation of the Serous (issue—these arc m< monlv adhesio ; and dropsj—som times purul ;n| • '■ ' rarely u!<