RENOVATION AND DECAY, 329 



so called, performs the double part of absorption and ex- 

 cretion, as occasion requires. Thus, the vessels of the 

 skin are commonly considered as performing the function 

 of excretion, constantly emitting more or less fluid in the 

 form of perspiration, and this appears to be the result of 

 their ordinary action. " But it is a fact well established by 

 more recent observations, that when the amount of fluid 

 in the body has, by disease or otherwise, been greatly 

 reduced, absorption of water through the skin may take 

 place to a considerable amount. Thus, there is a case 

 recorded by Dr. Currie of a patient who had such an ob- 

 struction between the mouth and the stomach, that no nutri- 

 ment, either solid or fluid, could be conveyed to the organs 

 of digestion ; and, yet, this person was supported for many 

 weeks by immersing the body every day in a bath of 

 milk and water. During this time his weight was not 

 diminished, and it was calculated by Dr C. that from 

 one to two pints of fluid must have been daily absorbed 

 by the skin. The patient's thirst, which had been ex- 

 ceedingly painful previously to the adoption of this plan, 

 was removed by the bath, in which he experienced the 

 most refreshing sensations. Another proof that the skin 

 absorbs water copiously is, that it is well known that 

 shipwrecked sailors, and others, who are suffering from 

 thirst, owing to the want of fresh water, find it greatly 

 alleviated, or altogether relieved, by dipping their clothes 

 into the sea, and putting them on while still wet. Even 

 the moisture ordinarily contained in the atmosphere may 

 be so rapidly absorbed as seriously to increase the weight 

 of the body ; and it would seem that a small quantity of 

 fluid taken into the stomach, in certain conditions of the 

 system, has the powder of exciting this action of the skin. 

 Thus, Dr. Watson, in his Chemical Essays, mentions a 

 case where a lad at Newmarket, having been almost 

 starved, in order to reduce his weight to the proper stand- 

 ard for a riding match, was found to have increased 

 nearly thirty ounces within an hour, apparently by having 

 drank a glass of wine, for he had taken nothing else ; and 



What is said of the absorbing powers of the skin ? What was Dr. Cur- 

 rie's case illustrating the absorbent powers of the skin ? What proof is there 

 that the skin absorbs moisture ? 



28* 



