GLASS I. 2. 3- 11. OP IRRITATION. 85 



the bladder, during sleep. The swelling of the ankles, which 

 frequently attends chlorosis, is another effect of deficient action 

 of the absorbent system; and the pale countenance is occasioned 

 by the deficient quantity of red globules of blood caused by the 

 deficient quantity or acrimony of the bile, and consequent weak- 

 ness of the circulation. The pulse is so quick in some cases of 

 chlorosis, that when attended with an accidental cough, it may 

 be mistaken for pulmonary consumption. This quick pulse is 

 owing to the debility of the heart from the want of stimulus, oc- 

 casioned by the deficiency of the quantity, and acrimony of the 

 blood. 



M. M. Sted. Bitters. Constant moderate exercise. Fric- 

 tion with flannel all over the body and limbs night and morn- 

 ing. Rhubarb five grains, opium half a grain, every night. 

 Flesh diet, with small beer, or wine and water. The disease 

 continues some months, but at length subsides by the treatment 

 above described. A bath of about eighty degrees, as Buxton 

 bath, is of service; a colder bath may do great injury. 



1 1 . Hydrocele. Dropsy of the vagina testis. Dropsies have 

 been divided into the encysted and the diffused, meaning those of 

 the cellular membrane, the cells of which communicate with each 

 other like a sponge, and those of any other cavity of the body. 

 The collections of mucous fluids in the various cells and cavities 

 of the body arise from the torpor of the absorbent vessels of those 

 parts. It is probable, that in dropsies attended with great thirst, 

 the cutaneous absorbents become paralytic first; and then from 

 the great thirst, which is thus occasioned by the w r ant of atmos- 

 pheric moisture, the absorption of the fat ensues; as in fevers 

 attended with great thirst, the fat is quickly taken up. See Obe- 

 sitas I. 2. 3. 16. Some have believed, that the cellular and adi- 

 pose membranes are different ones; as no fat is ever deposited 

 in the eyelids or scrotum, both which places are very liable to 

 v be distended with the mucilaginous fluid of the anasarca, and with 

 air in emphysema. Sometimes a gradual absorption of the ac- 

 cumulated fluid takes place, and the thinner parts being taken 

 up, there remains a more viscid fluid, or almost a solid in the 

 part, as in some swelled legs, which cannot easily be indented by 

 the pressure of the finger, and are called scorbutic. Sometimes 

 (he paralysis of the absorbents is completely removed, and the 

 whole is again taken up into the circulation. 



The hydrocele is known by a tumour of the scrotum, which 

 is without pain, gradually produced, with fluctuation, and a de- 

 gree of pellucidity, when a candle is held behind it; it is the 

 most simple encysted dropsy, as it is not in general complicated 

 with other diseases, as ascites with scirvhous fever, and hydra- 



