$8 SORBENTIA. ART. IV. 2. 7. 2, 



emetics or in fea-ficknefs, they are probably eliminated from the 

 body without entering the circulation ; that is, they are taken 

 up by the increafed action of one lymphatic branch, and evacu- 

 ated by the inverted action of fome other lymphatic branch, and 

 thus carried off by ftool or urine. 



2. But as the matter in large abfcefles is in general not ab- 

 forbed, till it becomes by fome means expofed to air, there is 

 reafon to conclude, that the (limulus of this new combination 

 of the matter with oxygen occafions its abforption ; and that 

 hence the abforption of matter in ulcers of all kinds, is ftill more 

 powerfully affected by the external application or internal ufe 

 of metallic oxydes j which are alfo acids confiding of the metal 

 united with oxygen ; and lallly, becaufe venereal ulcers, and 

 thofe of itch, and tinea, will not heal without fome ftimulant 

 application \ that is, the fecretion of matter in them continues 

 to be greater, than the abforption of it j and the ulcers at the 

 fame time continue to enlarge, by the contagion affecting the 

 edges of them ; that is, by the {limulus of the oxygenated mat- 

 ter ftimulated the capillary veflels in its vicinity into actions 

 fimilar to thofe of the ulcer, which produces it. 



This effect of the oxydes of mercury occurs, whether faliva- 

 tion attends its ufe not. Salivation is much forwarded by 

 external warmth, when mercury is given to promote this fecre- 

 tion ; but as the cure of venereal complaints depends on its ab- 

 forbent quality, the act of falivation is not neceflary nor ufeful. 

 A quarter of a grain of good corrofive fublimate twice a day will 

 feldom fail of curing the mod confirmed pox ; and will as 

 feldom falivate, if the patient be kept cool A quarter of a 

 jrain thrice a day I believe to be infallible, if it be good fub- 

 limate. 



Mercury alone when fwallowed does not act beyond the in- 

 teftines ; its active preparations are the falts formed by its union 

 with the various acids, as mentioned in the catalogue. Its union 

 with the vegetable acid, when triturated with manna, is faid to 

 compofe Keyfer'sPill. Triturated with gum arabic it is much 

 recommended by Plenck ; and triturated with fugar and a little 

 effential oil, as directed in a former Edinburgh Difpenfatory, it 

 probably forms fome of the fyrups fold as noftrums. 



United with fulphur it feldom enters the circulation, as when 

 cinnabar, or aethiops mineral, is taken inwardly. But united 

 with fat and rubbed on the fkin, it is readily abforbed. I know- 

 not whether it can be united to charcoal, nor whether it has 

 been given internally when united with animal fat ; if fix grains 

 only of fulphur be added to two ounces of hog's fat and fix 



drachms 



