151 [EXP. 
remaining in usual activity, the latter in aug- 
mented force. To this increased action in the 
secretory vessels of the mucous tissue I would 
refer the effect of an increased flow of the mucus: 
and not to any debility in these exhalents as they 
arecalled. The effort of nature, (the contemned, 
but the rational belief in the vis medicatria natura, 
Jeads me to use this language,) evinces a necessity 
to rid the surcharged passages, of this secretion, 
in the tussis senilis, or the cough of old peo 
Dr. Paris observes **if this excess be restrained by 
strengthening the tone of the system generally, or 
by astringing these vessels in particular, the ex- 
pectoration of the remainder will be rendered 
much moreeasy.” ‘The effect here implied is the 
true one supervening to tonics or astringents: but 
I apprehend the cause cannot be, by any local 
action they exert in rousing the debilitated secret- 
ing tissues, for that debility doesnot, in my opinion 
exist—but by equalizing the excitement of the 
general system, thus invigorated by tonics and 
astringents: and consequently removing the undue 
local excitement prevailing in the mucous tissue. 
This inference is more conformable with the 
known operation of tonics and axtringents. By 
this reasoning [ am brought to conclude, as al- 
ready advanced, that the increased flow of mucus 
in the catarrh of old people, in humoral asthma, 
and similar affections afflicting persons debilitated 
from age or disease, is owing to an increased 
energy in the secreting vessels, and not to debil- 
ity. And that the inconvenience arising from this 
excessive engorgement depends on an inadequacy 
in the excreting energies of the parts involved, to 
meet the super-abundant flow. No more happens 
here than to the kidnies and urinary organs, in 
‘persons as they advance in age. ‘The increased 
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