It is remarkable in this disease, that the most vascular parts are those which soonest lose their vitality. Thus, in the case last referred to, portions of the surface of the skin perished, while the deeper layers recovered; again, it is not unusual to observe the whole thickness of the skin destroyed, without any corresponding affection of the cellular membrane beneath. The quantity of blood sent to a part would thus appear to favour mortification in this disease. The reason of this peculiarity will be considered in the next section. In two of the instances recorded in the Appendix (Cases XXII and XXVI), the lining membrane of the rectum was found of a very dark colour, and in one it had assumed a greenish appearance. This discoloration was at first looked upon as some accidental complication, or as depending upon previous disease. But M. Gaspard has noticed a similar condition, after the artificial introduction of putrid fluid into the blood.[34] In one of the experiments referred to, the mucous membrane of the intestines was everywhere healthy, except in the _rectum_ and _duodenum_. In the former situation, the rugæ were prominent, and of a violet colour; in the latter, the membrane was of the colour of pale lees of wine. From the coincidence thus observed, we are led to believe that the same condition which produces congestion in the skin, may produce an analogous affection of the mucous membrane. Nor must we omit to note, in connexion with this subject, the fact of the mucous membrane of the vagina being occasionally found of a dark purple colour in those who die of puerperal affections. [34] Journal de Physiologie, t. iv, p. 45. In the cellular membrane, serum, lymph, and pus, may be deposited, mixed with each other in various proportions. The surrounding vascularity, in these cases, is unusually small, and the lymph effused not properly organized; there is, consequently, no natural boundary to the disorganizing process, and the fluid secreted becomes infiltrated in the surrounding parts. When the muscular structure is affected, suppuration takes place with great rapidity; portions of muscles may be found quite soft, and sometimes pultaceous, in circumscribed patches, around which the fibre is perfectly healthy. Pus is occasionally deposited on the exterior of muscles; and it will be then smeared over the surface, and rather infiltrated in the cellular tissue, than contained in a cyst. In the interior of muscles, there is the same absence of the natural limit to the inflammation; but, owing to the more compact structure of the part, the deposits of matter generally remain circumscribed.