MUCOUS SYSTEM. 



or are not the predominating ones of the texture; for you 

 know sympathies play upon the predominant vital proper- 

 ties of a tissue. 



Q. State the most important characters of the vital pro- 

 perties of this texture. 



Jl. They are constantly active; each portion of the tis- 

 sue has its peculiar modification of vital properties in con- 

 sequence of peculiar organization; and from these varieties 

 in the vital forces result the various diseases of this tissue. 



Q. Can you explain what you refer to the peculiarity 

 of the vital forces? 



ft. One stimulus exalts those of the pituitary mem- 

 brane, another those of the urethra, while a third increases 

 those of the stomach. The vital force of each is in rela- 

 tion to its peculiar stimulus. 



Q. Is the mucous secretion alike in all parts of the 

 tissue? 



&. In different parts of the texture it is very different 

 both in health and disease. 



Q. What part of the mucous system has the most ex- 

 tensive range of sympathies? 



A. That of the stomach ; the least affection of which 

 organ induces by sympathy the greatest uneasiness. 



Q. But is it the mucous membrane of the stomach 

 which is the source and seat of the active and passive 

 sympathies? 



A. The other tissues of the stomach, such as the serous 

 and muscular, have common organization, while that of 

 the mucous is peculiar. Hence it is probably the seat of 

 normal and abnormal sympathy, 



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