Medical pathologists have summed up the characteristics and concomitants of inflammation; all of the consequences to the system from chemical and mechanical agents, when the inflammation fails or only partially succeeds of its object, and given the mass a single name.

The term inflammation is forced to cover too wide a range of factors. The constructive work of inflammation and the destructive work of toxins and germs are all falsely included under the term inflammation. The process of healing of a wound and the suppuration of the wound that is not healing are both considered parts of inflammation. The gradual inflammatory enlargement of a part and its destruction and discharge are both charged to inflammation. The death of a piece of bone and the formation of its substitute, the successful reunion of a broken bone and the suppurative arrest and undoing of the callous, all are declared to be. the results of inflammation.

The confounding of inflammation and gangrene or the proposition that one is a part of the other long stood in the way of a proper recognition of the true office of inflammation.

Medical pathologists, failing to perceive that one series of phenomena--inflammation, suppuration, granulation and resolution--is the work of the vital force, and the other series of phenomena--tissue destruction and gangrene--are the results of poisons and trauma, link all of these together and call them all different results of inflammation.

It is wrong to attribute the repair and destruction both to inflammation. The building of new tissue is one kind of process--a vital act--the destruction of tissue is another kind of process--an anti-vital act. Whatever destroys tissue is opposed to whatever builds tissue. As inflammation consists in a local increase of blood, it is a vital act and, as such, is distinct from and opposed to those agents that produce pus, tissue destruction, etc. The notion that "high grades of inflammation" cause suppuration, ulceration, gangrene, etc., is erroneous. The contrary is the truth; these things are occasioned by powerful influences that the fierce inflammatory processes are intended to meet.

Suppuration is the formation and the casting off of pus, together with foreign bodies and toxins. It is no part of inflammation. The pus results from the destruction of tissue which, in turn, is caused by the presence of toxins. The pus formation, in the operation of removing toxins or foreign bodies from the flesh, is a defensive measure. It is super-added to but is no essential part of inflammation. All that is connected with destruction of tissue in inflammation must be attributed to poisons and mechanical obstruction of circulation.

There are changes in the character or composition of the blood and lymph in inflammation. Those vital changes such as the formation of coagulable lymph, increase in white cells, etc., are important parts of inflammation. Death and degeneration of the blood are due to toxins or injury and are not parts of inflammation.

We read of simple inflammation and other types of inflammation. There is no other inflammation than simple inflammation. Sometimes inflammation is referred to as healthy and at other times as unhealthy or destructive. There is no other kind of inflammation except the healthy kind. There is only one one kind of inflammation. Inflammation is a process that arises out of purely physiological responses to needs and progresses and declines under the natural (or physiological) laws of the constitution. All that is sometimes associated with inflammation, as destruction of tissues and gangrene, are no true parts of inflammation, but are due to the toxins, irritants, etc., against which the inflammation is directed. As well blame inflammation for the tissue destruction caused by a bullet as to hold it responsible for the tissue destruction caused by toxins. To blame inflammation for the evils it is intended to prevent and for the results of suppressive treatment is to forever deceive.

Among medical pathologists different types of inflammation are described by their most prominent features, as follows:-Catarrhal or Mucous Inflammation or catarrh occurs on mucous surfaces in all parts of the body that are lined with this membrane, as in bronchitis, \coryza, diarrhea, gastritis, etc. Accompanying inflammation of this type there is increased secretion of mucous of an altered character.

Fibrinous (Croupous) Inflammation develops particularly on the serous surfaces of the body. It is seen in peritonitis and sometimes in severe erysipelas. It sometimes occurs in the larynx and bronchi and in such acute "diseases" as smallpox, typhoid, pyemia, and in the lungs in pneumonia. This form is characterized by a thick deposit of fibrin on the inflamed part.

Diphtheritic Inflammation is a more severe form of the preceding variety. In addition to the fibrinous deposit there is necrosis (death) of the mucous membrane. This is seen in diphtheria, and in typhoid.

Serous Inflammation is inflammation of the serous membranes of the body and is marked by an effusion of serous fluid into the tissues and cavities, as in inflammation of the joints, or of the pleura or peritoneum.

Purulent Inflammation is inflammation accompanied with the formation of pus. It is seen in septic infections, as in vaccination, while in foul conditions of the system, simple inflammations anywhere may become purulent.

The above forms of inflammation may be combined as sero-purulent, mucopurulent, sero-fibrinous inflammations, etc.

Parenchymalous Inflammation is the term applied to inflammation of the functioning cells of an organ as in parenchymatous nephritis. This is accompanied with more or less destruction of the active cells of the organ.

Interstitial Inflammation is the term employed to designate inflammation of the supporting framework of the inflamed organ, as in interstitial nephritis. Repeated "attacks" of this kind result in an overgrowth of connective tissue in an organ resulting in cirrhosis, fibrosis, or induration.

It is well to note that the cardinal symptoms of inflammation and the essential changes and activities which occur in the blood vessels and tissues involved are the same in all these varieties of inflammation. The process and purpose of inflammation is the same in each variety. The essential nature of inflammation remains unchanged. The distinguishing characteristics of the different varieties are largely those of degree and of the structures involved. Thus, mucous inflammation is inflammation in a mucous membrane while serous inflammation is inflammation of a serous membrane. The structure involved determines the type of exudate. Likewise the degree of the inflammation and the condition of the system determine the differences in the exudate. Diphtheritic inflammation is simply a greater degree of fibrinous inflammation. The necrosis is due to the severity of the condition--to the virulence of the toxins occasioning it. The character and extent of the occasion also aids in determining the type. Purulent inflammation is a breaking down of tissue for the removal of infectious matter or foreign bodies. Inflammation in whatever part of the body it is located and whatever its occasion is essentially a unit.