When the suppurative action has existed a certain time, we find, that it gradually extends itself to the skin, purulent matter being formed, instead of organic particles; on which account, the cavity enlarges, and the covering becomes daily thinner. At last, the action reaches even to the cutis, which becomes white and flaccid, first at a point, and then to a greater extent[27]. When this happens, the thin covering is either torn by the pressure of the contained fluid, acted on by the surrounding parts, or acting by its own weight; or, if this does not take place, the suppurative action still proceeds going through the cutis, the organisation of which, like that of the parts below, is lost: The thin cuticle now rises up into a little blister, and then gives way. The matter runs gradually out, the sides collapse, and come nearer by degrees to each other, at the same time that the ulcerative action succeeds to the suppurative. The quantity of the discharge, therefore, daily lessens; the internal surface, or sides of the abscess, come in contact; and the granulations at the margin or circumference unite; those belonging to one side uniting with those of the other, and thus producing recovery by successive circles of reunion, which form rapidly, or more slowly, according to circumstances. [27] In proportion as the action extends outward, it also becomes more concentrated. An abscess is therefore somewhat conical, or at least hemispherical, the base being turned inward, and the apex outward. When the action reaches the surface, it is first at a single point; but, by degrees, it becomes extended, and the apex becomes broader.