SECT. XXIX. n. 8. ABSORBENTS. 271 



deduced: when the vafcular mufcles are not excited into their 

 due aftion by the natural ftimuli, we fhould exhibit thofe med- 

 icines, which poflefs a dill greater degree of ftimulus ; amongft 

 thefe are the foetids, the volatiles, aromatics, bitters, metallic 

 falts, opiates, *rine, which indeed mould be given in fmall dofes, 

 and frequently repeated. To thefe mould be added conitant, 

 but moderate exercife, cheerfulnefs of mind, and change of 

 country to a warmer climate ; and perhaps occafionally the ex- 

 ternal (timulus of blifters. 



It is alfo frequently ufeful to diminim the quantity of natur- 

 al ftimulus for amort time, by which afterwards the irritability 

 of the fyftem becomes increafed , according to the third law of 

 irritation above mentioned, hence the ufe of baths fomewhat 

 colder than animal heat, and of equitation in the open air. 



The catalogue of difeafes owing to the retrograde motions of lymphat- 

 ics is here omitted, as it will appear in another place in this 

 work. The following is the conclufton to this thejis of Mr. 

 CHARLES DARWIN. 



THUS have I endeavoured in a concife manner to explain the 

 numerous difeafes, which deduce their origin from the inverted 

 motions of the hollow mufcles of our bodies : and it is probable, 

 that Saint Vitus's dance, and the ftammering of fpeech, origin- 

 ate from a fimilar inverted order of the aflbciated motions of 

 fome of the folid mufcles ; which, as it is foreign to my prefent 

 purpofe, I (hall not here difcufs. 



I beg, illuftrious profeflbrs, and ingenious fellow- fludents, 

 that you will re^lleft how difficult a tafk I have attempted, to 

 evince the retrograde motions of the lymphatic vefTels, when the 

 veflels themfelves for fo many ages efcaped the eyes and glades 

 of philofophers : and if you are not yet convinced of the truth 

 of this theory, hold, I entreat you, your minds in fufpenfe, till 

 ANATOMY draws her fword with happier omens, cuts afunder 

 the knots, which entangle PHYSIOLOGY \ and, like an augur in- 

 fpefting the immolated victim, announces to mankind the wif- 

 domofHEAVEN. 



SFCX 



