18 ON PURGING. 



balance of the circulation when there is an irre^ 

 giilar distribution of it to any important organ, 

 without actual inflammation being present, as to 

 the brain, stomach, intestines, &c. ; and which con- 

 gestion of blood impairs the healthful functions of 

 the part, causing apoplexy or staggers, convul- 

 sions, spasms, palsy or colic. If these diseases are 

 not checked at the commencement, they are very 

 liable to run into inflammation. In some instances 

 it is necessary to abstract a large quantity of blood. 

 (See these Diseases.) 



CHAP. V. 



ON PURGING. 



Those medicines are called purging, which, 

 when administered in sufficient quantity, increase 

 the evacuation of faeces from the bowels. They 

 are of great utility in the cure and prevention of 

 diseases; a knowledge, therefore, of their nature 

 and use is of the first importance. Purges for the 

 most part act by exciting the peristaltic motion of 

 the intestines, and increasing the secretion of the 

 exhalent arteries and mucous follicles situated in 

 their villous or internal coat. They change the 

 course of the blood, causing an increased momen- 

 tum of it towards the bowels ; and the capacity of 



