The symptoms attendant on suppuration vary much according to the nature of the parts involved. In general, it is accompanied with the subsidence of acute pain and fever; but, in unyielding textures, the increase of swelling, by the formation of purulent matter, is often attended with an aggravation of the symptoms, and with an increase of danger to the structures affected. The pain which accompanies suppuration is dull, and attended with a sensation of fulness and throbbing, and an increase of the tumour; ultimately the parietes of the abscess become absorbed, and the collection, being more superficial, the most careless observer must be convinced of its existence, by the less equivocal signs of fluctuation and pointing. In general, especially when the abscess is deeply seated, a greater or less degree of œdema surrounds it, producing a soft pitting tumour; but not unfrequently, when the degree of excitement is more intense, lymph, instead of serum, is effused, rendering the part more hard and resisting: in such cases it may be difficult to discover the existence of purulent matter, and the tactus eruditus, as it is called, will be found of material service; for, though pus is neither acrid nor corroding, still, if allowed to remain for any long period, much mischief may be caused—the bones may become diseased—muscles and tendons may slough—and the matter may discharge itself, by means of ulceration, into certain cavities and canals, and produce very serious consequences. Of the bad effects produced by the pressure and irritation of extensive and undisturbed collections of purulent matter, every practitioner must have seen numerous examples. Still, through prejudice, erroneously conceived opinions, or servile imitation, the greatest dread seems, with many, to exist of the practice of giving a free exit to the contents of such depôts. The symptoms and sensible signs of suppuration are usually preceded by shivering, recurring at intervals, and commonly terminating in profuse perspiration. But this is by no means an unequivocal sign of the occurrence of suppuration; and this process very often takes place without any feeling of rigor.