Chap. 30.] Nourtjhment. 311 



view to explain the mode in which the abforbents act 

 in taking in their contents ; but as they are but hypo- 

 thefes, I fhall pals them over in filence. 



As the abforbents are continually taking away the 

 fubftance of the body, it was neccflfary that there fhould 

 be organs, which, by furnifhing frefh particles, might 

 counterbalance their effects j and thefe organs are the 

 arteries. It has been already obferved that the arteries, 

 for an important purpofe, convey the blood to every 

 part of the fyftem j by means of the blood, how- 

 ever, the arteries not only produce the fecretions, but 

 furnifh matter to every exhaufted organ of the body; 

 and from one fluid, reftore the loft particles of the 

 bones, the mufcles, and the nerves, or whatever other 

 folids ftand in need of repair. 



This office, however, of the arteries, pre~fuppofes 

 that there muft be a fource, from which they arc 

 themfelves fupplied with the fubftance they furnifh to 

 the other organs j and this leads to the confideration 

 of the important function of digeftion. 



