Induration and softening of the uterus are frequently products of acute inflammation of the organ ; the first is formed but slowly, the latter with great rapidity, and may or may not be complicated with effusion and in filtration of pus, into the muscular structure. Uncomplicated softening is frequently the re sult of a more chronic and subacute inflam matory action, and is occasionally found in the impregnated uterus, being made known to the practitioner by the spontaneous rupture of its walls, and the passage of its contents into the cavity of the abdomen. A soften ing, either general or partial, is found in cases where there were no uterine symptoms during life ; the tissue is as friable as that of a softened spleen ; but none of the pro ducts of inflammation are to be found. It is, probably, produced by a perverted and defective state of the general nutrition ; the 'items, from its low vitality, prominently suf fering. A putrid sloughy-looking softening occurs around growths and ulcerations of the uterine tissue.
Softening and induration of the ovaries are usually produced by acute or chronic inflam matory action : the one, if found in the early stages of ovaritis, is produced by the effusion of serum into the tissue of the ovary ; and the other, a sequel of the same disease, is pro duced by the contraction and hardening of effused lymph.
In old age, thickening of the fibrous coat, and atrophy, and induration of the stroma, with special hardening around old Graafian vesicles, are very common : this state is fre quently preceded by a flabby consistence of the organ.
In the puerperal state, the ovaries are sub ject to complete softening and disorganiza tion ; the natural structure is lost, and, in its place, is a pulpy diffluent bloody-looking mass.
An indurated state of the prostate gland is common enough in old age, and is gene rally accompanied by hypertrophy ; and a grey or white hardening of the testicle and epidi dynzis, with or without destruction of the seminiferous tubes, is frequently found as a sequel of chronic inflammation.
A softened state of the whole or part of the osseous framework of the body, is met with in scrofulous habits, and in persons suf fering from cancerous cachexia, under the form of rachitis and mollities ossiurn. In the first of these diseases, there is a deficient deposit of earthy matter, and the animalinatter is probably of an unhealthy quality ; whilst in the second, the constituents are not defi cient in quantity, but bad in quality, and the vital properties of the bone are completely deranged ; the osseous structure has lost its co hesive power, and breaks with the least mus cular effort. In rachitis, the bones may be bent
in any direction, and are easily cut ; their cen tre resembling cartilage. In mollities ossium, the knife penetrates the tissue, which appears to consist of numerous cells, with thin walls, and containing an oleaginous fluid, with the greatest ease. Occasionally, bones are found so softened as to resemble lard in consistence ; and sometimes in subjects which have suffered from chronic disease, the ribs are more easily cut through than the cartilages. In caries, also, there is a softening and absorption of the bony texture, which crumbles away on the slightest touch.
Softening of cartilage is found under three forms. It may lose its usual elasticity and become doughy, or the usually dry and elastic cartilage of an adult may be found soft, as if it were that of an infant ; it acquires extensi bility, and its elasticity diminishes. Finally, the cartilage of adult life may so lose its con sistence, as to resemble embryonic cartilage ; it becomes pale and transparent, its quantity of solid matter being very small, and its pro portion of water great, and the softness con siderable.
Fibrous tissue resembles cartilage in its alterations of cohesion, and both are apt to become indurated by a deposit of osseous matter.
Softening of the muscular structures may oc cur, as a sequel of inflammation in the cellular tissue which surrounds and binds together the ultimate fibres ; or as a result of long con tinued inaction, produced by loss of nervous influence, as in paralysis, or by long standing disease. Softened muscles are pale, flabby, and contain much fat ; are incapable of long or severe action, and are deficient in irritability.
Softening of the muscles of organic life, generally depends upon an inflammatory con dition of their neighbouring submucous or subserous cellular tissue.
Softening of cellular tissue is very common. It has already been noticed as occurring from effusion of serum, pus, and blood. These ren der it more palpable and more liable to be torn, and its simple lacerability is frequently' set down to softening : it is difficult, however, to draw the line. A great consequence of softening of the cellular tissue, is softening of the subjacent and neighbouring tissues; we have noticed this to a considerable extent in softening of the sub-pleural tissue, and also of the submucons and subperitoneal tissue of the alimentary canal.