62 MECHANISM OF ABSORPTION. 



retardation of, and consequent obstruction to, the 

 circulation of the blood results, effusion takes place, 

 and absorption is performed very slowly if at all ; 

 and with opposite conditions of course \ve have 

 opposite effects. We can thus understand why the 

 surface of old ulcers should absorb more freely than 

 that of recent ones ; why a ligature tied round the 

 limb impedes the action of poisons ; and why the 

 same beneficial result attends the application of a 

 cupping-glass over a poisoned wound. In short, 

 throughout the whole body the two antagonistic 

 processes of effusion and absorption are constantly in 

 operation, the preponderance of the one or the other 

 in any particular part being regulated by the facili- 

 ties or impediments afforded to the passage of the 

 blood through the smaller vessels of that part. And 

 I believe that absorption takes place chiefly in the 

 smaller vessels, being facilitated there by the tenuity 

 of their coats and the rapidity of the stream travers- 

 ino- them. As before stated, I consider these two 



O 



processes to be in their nature and causes essentially 

 different from those usually understood by the terms 

 endosmosis and exosmosis, and to be in a groat 

 measure independent of the laws regulating the 

 transmission of stagnant and uncompressed 

 through membranes. 



