4<$ SORBENTlA. Art. IV. 2. 3. 1, 



Externally flight folutions of blue vitriol, as two or three 

 grains to an ounce of water, applied to ulcers of the mouth, or 

 to chancres on the glans penis, more powerfully induce them to 

 heal than any other material. 



Where the lungs or urethra are inflamed to a confiderable 

 degree, and the abforption is fo great, that the mucus is already 

 too thick, and adheres to the membrane from its vifcidity, opi- 

 ates and bitter vegetable and auftere acids are improper ; and 

 mucilaginous diluent fhould be ufed in their ftead with venefec- 

 tion and torpentia. 



III. 1. Abforption from the cellular membrane, and from all 

 the other cavities of the body, is too flowly performed in fome 

 conftitutions ; hence the bloated pale complexion ; and when 

 this occurs in its greateil degree, it becomes an univerfal dropfy. 

 Theie habits are liable to intermittent fevers, hyfteric paroxyfms, 

 cold extremities, indigeftion, and all the fymptoms of debility. 



The abforbent fyftem is more fubjecl to torpor or quiefcence 

 than the fecerning fyftem, both from the coldnefs of the fluids 

 which are applied to it, as the moiflure of the atmofphere, and 

 from the coldnefs of the fluids which we drink ; and alfo from 

 its being itimulated only by intervals, as when we take our food 5 

 whereas the fecerning fyftem is perpetually excited into action 

 by the warm circulating blood ; as explained in Sect. XXXII. 



2. The Peruvian bark, camomile flowers, and other bitter 

 drugs, by ftimulating this cellular branch of the abforbent fyftem 

 prevents it from becoming quiefcent ; hence the cold paroxyfms 

 of thofe agues, which arife from the torpor of the cellular lymph- 

 atics, are prevented, and the hot fits in confequence. The 

 patient thence preferves his natural heat, regains his healthy 

 colour, and his accuftomed ftrength. 



Where the cold paroxyfm of an ague originates in the abforb- 

 ents of the liver, fpieen, or other internal vifcus, the-addition of 

 iteel to vegetable bitters, and efpecially after the .ufe of one 

 dole of calcmel, much advances the cure. 



And where it originates in any part of the fecerning fyftem, 

 as is probably the cafe in fome kinds of agues, the addition of 

 opium in the dofe of a grain and half, given about an hour be- 

 fore the accefs of the paroxyfm, or mixed with chalybeate and 

 bitter medicines, enfures the cure. Or the fame may be effected 

 by wine given inftead of opium before the paroxyfm, fo as near* 

 ly to intoxicate. 



Thefe three kinds of agues are thus diftinguifhed ; the firft is 

 not attended with any tumid or indurated vifcus, which the peo- 

 ple call an ague cake, and which is evident to the touch. The 

 iecond is accompanied with a tumid vifcus i and the laft has 



generally, 



