CUTANEOUS ABSORPTION. 55 



of these precautions, the mortality from fever was 

 very considerable. 



It is a general law, that every organ acts with in- 

 creased energy when excited by its own stimulus ; 

 and the application of this law to the different func- 

 tions of the skin may help to remove some of our 

 difficulties. The skin exhales most in a warm dry 

 atmosphere, because the latter dissolves and carries 

 off the secretion as fast as it is produced; and the 

 same condition is unfavourable to absorption, be- 

 cause nothing is present upon which the absorbents 

 of the skin can act. In a moist atmosphere, on the 

 other hand, the absorbents meet with their appropri- 

 ate stimulus, and act powerfully; while exhalation 

 is greatly diminished, because the air can no longer 

 carry off the perspiration so freely. Apparently 

 from this extensive absorption, we find the inhabit- 

 ants of marshy and humid districts remarkable for 

 the predominance of the lymphatic system, as has 

 long been remarked of the Dutch ; and as malaria 

 prevails chiefly in situations and seasons in which 

 the air is loaded with moisture, and is most energetic 

 at periods when absorption is most active and moist- 

 sure is at its maximum, the probability of its being 

 'received into the system chiefly by cutaneous ab- 

 sorption is greatly increased, and the propriety of 

 endeavouring to protect ourselves from its influence 

 by warm woollen clothing becomes more striking. 

 In the army and navy, accordingly, where practical 

 experience is most followed, the utmost attention is 

 now paid to enforcing the use of flannel and suffi- 

 cient clothing, as a protection against fever, dysen- 

 tery, and other diseases, particularly in unhealthy 

 climates. In the prevention of cholera, flannel was 

 decidedly useful. 



From grouping all the constituent parts of the skin 

 into one whole, and perceiving so many operations 

 connected with that tegument, some may be apt to 



