44 SORBENTIA. ART. IV. 2.1.2. 



are known from their increafing the heat of the fyftem above 

 its ufual degree. 



It muft alfo be noted, that the adtions of every part of the 

 abforbent fyftem are fo affociated with each other, that the 

 drugs which ftimulate one branch increafe the action of the 

 whole ; and the torpor or quiefcence of one branch weakens the 

 exertions of the whole ; or when one branch is excited into 

 ftronger action, fome other branch has its actions weakened or 

 inverted. Yet though peculiar branches of the abforbent fyf- 

 tem are ftimulated into action by peculiar fubftances, there are 

 other fubftances which feem to ftimulate the whole fyftem, and 

 that without immediately increafing any of the fecretions ; as 

 thofe bitters which poffefs no aromatic fcent, at the head of 

 which (lands the famed Peruvian bark, or cinchona. 



2. Cutaneous abforption. I have heard of fome experi- 

 ments, in which the body was kept cold, and was thought to 

 abforb more moifture from the atmofphere than at any other 

 time. This however cannot be determined by ftatical experi- 

 ments : as the capillary veffels, which fecrete the perfpirable 

 matter, muft at the fame time have been benumbed by the cold j. 

 and from their inaction there could not have been the ufual 

 wafte of the weight of the body ; and as all other mufcular ex- 

 ertions are beft performed, when the body poffeffes its ufual de- 

 gree of warmth, it is conclufive, that the abforbent fyftem fhould 

 likewife do its office beft, when it is not benumbed by external 

 cold. 



The auftere acids, as of vitriol, lemon-juice, juice of crabs and 

 floes, ftrengthen digeftion, and prevent that propenfity to fweat 

 fo ufual to weak convalefcents, and diminifh the colliquative 

 fvveats in hectic fevers ; all which are owing to their increafing 

 the action of the external and internal cutaneous abforption. 

 Hence vitriolic acid is given in the fmall-pox to prevent the too 

 hafty or too copious eruption, which it effects, by increafing the 

 cutaneous abforption. Vinegar, from the quantity of alcohol 

 which it contains, exerts a contrary effect, to that here defcrib- 

 ed, and belongs to the incitantia ; as an ounce of it promotes 

 fweat, and a flufhing of the fkin ; at the fame time externally it 

 acts as a venous abforbent, as the lips become pale by moiften- 

 ing them with it. And it is faid, when taken internally in great 

 and continued quantity, to induce palenefs of the fkin, and foft- 

 nefs of the bones. 



The fweet vegetable acids, as of feveral ripe fruits, are among 

 the torpentia ; as they are lefs ftimulating than the general food 

 of this climate, and are hence ufed in inflammatory difeafes. 



Where the quantity of fluids in the fyftem is much leffened. 



