320 DISEASES Sect. XXXITI. j. z« 



Reparation. Med. Comment. Edinb. V. i. 425. In the famo 

 manner the calcareous matter of gouty concretions, the coagula- 

 hie lymph depofited on inflamed membranes in rheumatifm and 

 extravafated blood become abforbed ; which are all as folid and as 

 SndhToluble materials as the new veflels produced in inflammation. 



This abforption of the new veflels and depofited fluids of in- 

 flamed parts is called refolution : it is produced by firft ufmg 

 fuch interna] means as decreafe the pain of the part, and in con- 

 icquence its new motions, as repeated bleeding, cathartics, dilu- 

 ent potations, and warm bath. 



After the veiTels are thus emptied, and the abforption of the 

 new veflels and depofited fluids is evidently begun, it is much 

 promoted by ftimulating the part externally by folutions of lead, 

 or other metals, and internally by the bark, and fmall dofes of 

 opium. Hence when an ophthalmy begins to become paler, 

 any acrid eye water, as a folution of fix grains of white vitriol 

 in an ounce of water, haflens the abforption, and clears the eye 

 in a very (hort time. But the fame application ufed a few days 

 fooner would have increafed the inflammation. Hence after 

 evacuation opium in fmall dofes may contribute to promote the. 

 abforption of fluids depofited on the brain, as obferved by Mr. 

 Bromfield in his treatife of furgery. 



2. Where an abfeefs is formed by the rupture of thefe new 

 vefTels, the violence of inflammation ceafes, and a new gland- 

 feparates a material called pus : at the fame time a lefs degree 

 of inflammation produces new veflels called vulgarly proud 

 flefh ; which, if no bandage confines its growth, nor any other 

 circumftance promotes abforption in the wound, would rife to a 

 great height above the ufual fize of the part. 



Hence the art of healing ulcers confifts in producing a ten- 

 dency to abforption in the wound greater than the depofition. 

 Thus when an ill-conditioned ulcer feparates a copious and thin 

 difcharge, by the ufe of any flimulus, as of falts of lead, or mer- 

 ctiry, or copper externally applied, the difcharge becomes dimin- 

 ifhed in quantity, and becomes thicker, as the thinner parts are 

 firft abiorbed. 



To which in ulcerations of the lungs, and in fome catarrhs, a 

 pertinacious abftinence from fluids has been recommended, a* 

 well as in dropfies, and diabetes, which In the former as well as 

 m the latter, may have a tendency to increafe abforption from 

 the affected parts, and may thus be moderately employed with 

 advantage -, but may have a dangerous tendency if ufed to an 

 extreme, by inducing too great thirft, and confequent fever or 

 inflammation. Lower de Catarrhis. Davidfon on Pulmonary 

 Syftem. Rollo on Diabetes. 



But 



