When the inflammation extends deeper than the skin, into the areolar or cellular tissue, it partakes more of the nature of the healthy suppurative inflammation, commonly called phlegmonous, is accompanied by the formation of matter, and tends to the sloughing or death of this tissue at an early period. The redness in this case is of a brighter color, although equally diffuse, and with a determined edge; the limb is more swollen and tense, and soon becomes quagmiry to the touch. The skin is then undermined, and soon loses its life, becomes ash colored and gangrenous in spots, and separates, giving exit to the slough and matter which now pervade the whole extremity affected. If the patient survive, it will probably be with the loss of the whole of the skin and the cellular substance of the limb. As soon as the inflamed part communicates the springy, fluctuating sensation approaching, but not yet arrived at the quagmiry feel alluded to, an incision should be made into it, when the areolæ or cells of the cellular tissue will be seen of a bright leaden color, and of a gelatinous appearance, arising from the fluid secreted into them, being now nearly in the act of being converted into pus. The septa, dividing the tissue into cells, have not at this period lost their life, and the fluid hardly exudes, as it will be found to do a few hours later, when the matter deposited has become purulent. When this change has taken place, the patient is in danger, and if relief be not given, he will often sink under the most marked symptoms of irritative fever of a typhoid type. Nature herself sometimes gives the required relief by the destruction of the superincumbent skin; but this part is tough, offers considerable resistance, and does not readily yield until the deep-seated fascia is implicated, and the muscular parts are about to be laid bare. An incision made into the inflamed part through the cellular tissue, down to the deep-seated fascia, which should not be divided in the first instance, gives relief. One of four inches in length usually admits of a separation of its edges to the amount of two inches, by which the tension of the skin, which principally causes the mischief which follows the inflammation, is removed. As many incisions are required as will relieve this tension, according to the extent of the inflammation, which is also relieved by the flow of blood, but that requires attention, as it is often considerable, particularly if the deep fascia be divided on which the larger vessels are found to lie. If the necessary incisions be delayed until the quagmiry feeling is fully established, the skin above it is generally undermined and dies. The following case is given as the first known in London, in which long incisions were made for the cure of this disease, and their effect in relieving the constitutional irritation is so strongly marked as to need no further explanation:--