"A great majority" says Watson "of all the disorders to which the human frame is liable, begin with inflammation, or end in inflammation, or are accompanied by inflammation during some part of their course, or resemble inflammation in their symptoms." "The premature extinction of human life is more often owing to the agency, immediate or remote, of that process which we call inflammation, than to any other morbid condition whatsoever."

In inflammations there is usually redness of the part affected, with pain, tenderness on pressure, heat and frequently swelling, and commonly accompanied by some degree of fever.

Some persons are much more predisposed to inflammatory diseases than others; those for instance of a strong, healthy appearance, ruddy complexion, and robust constitution.

When the inflammation is confined to one particular part, without producing any general affection in the system, it is called local or topical; but when it affects the whole system it is known as general inflammation. When inflammation is attended by fever and violent disturbance of the system it is termed acute, and when unattended by these it is called chronic.