155 [exr. 
the thoracic viscera during their operation, causes 
an increased excitement of all the processes of secre- 
tion and excretion, pertaining to them, which does 
not cease with the cessation of their operation. A 
healthy equipoise of action is kept up for days, 
weeks, nay often months ; and in their effects may 
be recognised a union of mechanical, with physio- 
logical action. : 
As acorollary to the preceding observations, I 
state, that with the exception of the class of emetics, — 
and some inhalations I know of no such remedies as 
expectorants. Neither can I conceive of any 
priety in retaining such a class, when it has been. 
shewn how little legitimate claim it possesses fo 
the tenure it Jias heretofore held in all treatises on 
materia medica. While this opinion is ventured, 
however, it is proper that it should be stated, that 
itis on the ground not only of the absolute yvari- 
ance between the mode of action of the medicines 
arrayed in the class, and the course they should — 
take in producing their effects, were they in any es- 
pecia] manner directed to the lungs so as to perform 
what their name requires they should do; but also, | 
because the designating these remedies by a name 
which characterizes only one of their several 
effects on the system, is calculated to mislead the 
‘student and young practitioner. There is no dif- 
ficulty in disposing of the remedies in question, if 
classification must be had, in places more fit for 
their reception, according to their primary action; 
while their secondary influence on the lungs need 
not be lost sight of on this account, Opposed as 
I am to treat of the materia medica by any of the 
common schemes of classification, these latter 
remarks are intended to meet the objections of. - 
those, in reference to the individual class under 
ig Bi persist in the propriety and usefulness 
stg tf 2 
