202 LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



be certain that the matter which has got so far as these glands 

 may not also have got a little further, and have entered the 

 constitution. 



In cancers of the lips, the lymphatic glands under the angle 

 of the lower jaw, and on the side of the neck, are apt to swell 

 from the same cause, viz. the absorption of the cancerous mat- 

 ter. And the like swellings may be produced by the absorption 

 of the venereal virus from sores in the lips. I have seen these 

 glands swell in consequence of gum-boils, which frequently ap- 

 pear on the upper jaw, from the fang of a rotten tooth making 

 its way through the jaw, and producing a suppuration that 

 sometimes bursts outwards, sometimes into the socket of the 

 tooth, and sometimes disappears without rupture; in which 

 case I have several times seen the glands under the angle of 

 the lower jaw swell and become painful, during the few days 

 that the boil was diminishing. 



In short, wherever there is an erosion or ulceration of the 

 body attended with acrid matter, that matter is apt to be ab- 

 sorbed, and in passing into the constitution commonly inflames 

 the lymphatic glands which lie between the part eroded and 

 the thoracic duct; a fact well deserving the attention of the 

 surgeon, who might otherwise take these glandular tumours 

 for primary diseases, and might expect to cure them without 

 attending to the ulcers themselves, but in vain ; for being oc- 

 casioned by the absorption of acrid matter, they will remain so 

 long as the matter continues to be absorbed; but that matter 

 being once removed, these glandular tumours will generally 

 subside of course. 



And moreover, as it frequently happens that these poisons 

 are not immediately absorbed, but remain for some time in the 

 wound before they enter the vascular system, it gives us an 

 opportunity of preventing the disease by cutting out the morbid 

 flesh, and thereby extirpating the poison before absorption has 

 taken place ; a practice that has been used successfully for the 

 bite of a mad dog, and cannot be too strongly recommended, 

 as it seems to be the only certain way of preventing the ill 

 consequences of such an injury. In those cases where the knife 

 cannot be used, the application of the actual or potential cau- 

 teries has been recommended ; for these cauteries, by destroying 

 the poisonous matter, and the parts which it has already tainted, 



