Almost all the swelling results from the presence of matters thrown into the inflamed part. In the central hard portion the hardness is to be ascribed to an effusion into the areolar tissue of it, of a fluid which is transparent at first, afterwards becoming opaque, called coagulable lymph. Serum is effused into the areolar tissue of the softer swelling at the circumference. ŒDEMA, DROPSY, ANASARCA. Even under moderate inflammation some amount of effusion takes place into the texture or from the surface of a part. This effusive serous fluid called also serosity, resembles and probably is the scrum of the blood. When this passes into the areolar structure of a part it is called œdema, (though this is not always by inflammation) and if the serosity passes out extensively over the body, the disease is called anasarca or general dropsy. If a considerable amount of this serous fluid is poured out in a short time from the peritoneum, it is a form of ascites or abdominal dropsy. If it is thus poured into the pleura it causes apnœa, or difficulty of breathing, and requires aspirating. CHAPTER III. DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASES IN CHILDREN, EARLY TREATMENT, &C. It is not often that a correct diagnosis can be made of a disease by a single symptom, but there are marked and characteristic symptoms which indicate some diseases in children with considerable certainty. A strongly marked nasal or palate sound in the child’s cry indicates an abscess behind the pharynx. When this nasal tone is heard we should palpate with the finger on the throat to ascertain the degree of soreness. A long drawn, ten times lengthened, loud sounding expiration with normal inspiration, and no dyspnœa is sufficient for the diagnosis of CHOREA MAJOR (St. Vitus dance.) A high thoracic continually sighing inspiration, the upper part of the thorax doing the work of breathing, and with a sighing or groaning sound, shows the commencement of HEART WEAKNESS, CARDIAC PARALYSIS OR FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART, and will probably be followed by such symptoms as cyanosis, coldness of the extremities, &c. Strongly marked diaphragmatic expiration accompanied by a fine, high whistling sound, points to BRONCHIAL ASTHMA. This sound, however, resembles that made in croup. If there is a pause between the end of expiration and the beginning of inspiration, croup may be excluded. Sleepiness, lasting twenty-four to thirty-six hours, occurring without fever or other disturbance to account for it, is an initial symptom of MENINGITIS, though it might be caused by narcotics or uremia. A prominent, firm fontanelle means increase in quantity of the contents of the cranium-exudation of some sort. It cannot be caused by fullness of the vessels alone if it is firm and resisting. We know that we have cerebral disease with DROPSY or exudation (Hydrocephalus).