Idiopathic inflammation of the submucous cellular tissue of the stomach, resembling pseudo-erysipelas, and passing on to suppuration, is a very rare phenomenon; it not unfrequently occurs as a secondary process, analogous to the metastases of specific, acute dyscrasiae. The parietes of the stomach appear thickened; the stratum of submucous tissue is distended with pus; it is soft and friable; the superincumbent mucous membrane is reddened, and, at intervals, tense. After a time it gives way at these points, and, by numerous irregular cribriform openings, the pus exudes into the cavity of the stomach.

d. The process, which is caused by the operation of caustic substances on the membranes of the upper part of the alimentary canal.

We limit ourselves to a statement of the modus operandi of the more common substances which are taken accidentally, or are administered as poisons, such as the mineral acids, and especially the sulphuric acid of the shops, and white arsenic, and give the results afforded by numerous post-mortem examinations.

The effect of the mineral acids generally extends over the cavity of the mouth and fauces, the gullet, the oesophagus, the stomach, and occasionally beyond the latter; sometimes it is limited to the former, so that scarcely a trace is visible in the stomach.

In reference to the intensity of the effect which may cause superficial or deep mortification of the tissues with greater or less rapidity, we distinguish several degrees. The effect is influenced by the quantity and the strength of the liquid, and the duration of the period during which it remained in contact with the parts alluded to. We generally , find the effect to be less intense in the cavity of the mouth and fauces, more marked in the oesophagus, and, provided an appreciable amount of acid reached the stomach, most powerful at this point. In the lowest degree the effect is limited to destruction of the epithelium. The mucus of the mouth and the fauces contains flocculent coagula; the epithelium is converted into a thick, grayish-white, rugose layer; it peels off here and there, and the subjacent mucous membrane is pale.

In an advanced degree, the superficial layers of the mucous membrane of the fauces and oesophagus, under the destroyed epithelium, are found corrugated, of a dirty, whitish, leaden hue, and the capillary network blackened by its carbonified contents. The lower strata of the mucous membrane, and the submucous cellular tissue, present serous infiltration. In the follicles at the root of the tongue, the mucous secretion is coagulated into dirty white masses.

In a still higher degree, the entire mucous membrane is destroyed, and converted into a dirty gray mass, which is traversed by black vessels; the submucous cellular tissue is infiltrated, and partially ecchymosed; the muscular coat of the oesophagus itself is shrivelled, pale, ashy.

In the highest degree, the mucous membrane of the oesophagus, together with the submucous cellular tissue, is converted into a soft, black mass, which is distended by a sanguinolent fluid, and is easily detached from the muscular coat. The latter is itself either destroyed in the same manner, or is perfectly colorless, friable, and presents an ashy, gelatinous appearance.