138 MEMOIR, &c. 



fails to preJid a fpeedy difTolution, viz. a paralyfis of the 

 fecretory fundions of the kidnies. 



The more I confider the material change produced hi 

 the different fecreting veffels, during the laft ftage of this 

 difeafe, the more this theory appears to be fupported by 

 reafon and the plaufibiiity of truth. But, though a mor- 

 bid condition of the glandular ccconomy of the liver may 

 produce the coffee-ground coloured vomit, it does not 

 leem probable that the black infpiffated mucus-matter 

 which was cjecled in the cafes that proved mortal in 

 1 797, is derived from the fame fource ; for, the liver, 

 under no condition of difeafed action, that we are ac- 

 quainted with, is capable of fecreting mucus of fuch an 

 appearance ; therefore, wc think it mofi; reafonable to 

 refer it tothe furfaces, which are deftined, in a (late ot 

 health, to fecrete mucus. Now, admitting the axiom, 

 " that fimilar caufes produce fimilar effedls, under fmiilar 

 circumftances," v,hy may net the glandular ftruclure 

 of the ftomach be affefted in a limilar manner to that 

 of the liver and kidnies, fo as to enable it to fecrete the 

 mucus-matter above mentioned ? This opinion, I think 

 may be affirmed by other analogies, not only in the 

 fthenic, but in the afthenic condition of fecreting furfaces, 

 in which there are equally as great a deviation from 

 healthy fecretion as the one alluded to. This we have 

 clearly exemplified in veffels deftined to fecrete mucus 

 in a ftate of health ; but, when labouring under in- 

 flammation, evidently fecrete pus. Other cafes, of a 

 fimilar nature, might be adduced to prove this power 

 in fecreting veffels. But, it would be taking up the 

 time of the fociety to little purpofe, to recite other in- 

 ftances to cftablilh a facl which appears to be already 

 fullv confirmed. 



ISAAC CATHRALL. 



Mav 2?, 1800. 



No. 



