of the black Bronchial Glands, ^c. 1^7 



or blue. In no instance have I observed the lungs and glands, 

 here spoken of, so black, and from which I separated so much 

 charcoal, as in those of a person forty-two years old, whose 

 death was occasioned by most extensively diffused tubercles, 

 many vomicae, and a considerable condensation of the pulmo- 

 nary organs. I now recollect, that this subject had been a 

 Smoker of tobacco, generally several times, but always once a 

 day, for perhaps more than twenty years. Future observations 

 must determine more satisfactorily the state of the pulmonary 

 organs, according to the impregnation of the air with sooty 

 vapours. If, hereafter, it be shewn, that the lungs of persons 

 living remote from sources of such vapours, are still greatly 

 impregnated with coaly matter, the just conclusion can only be> 

 that such matter is more extensively diffused through the atmo- 

 sphere, than is apprehended. This being the fact, it would also 

 afford a proof that it is only the invisibly small particles which 

 are absorbed, for the larger particles remain unabsorbed, 

 entangled in the mucus lining the air vessels, and never get 

 farther, but are rejected from time to time by expectoration. 

 Accordingly, in a morning, healthy people, after the night's 

 rest, very commonly hawk up mucous matter of a bluish colour 

 with black streaks, owing to charcoal; and persons in a diseased 

 state, especially by great exertions in coughing, frequently ex- 

 pectorate matter spotted and streaked with black particles. The 

 quantity of coaly matter in the pulmonary organs is not entirely 

 according to the age, for I was disappointed, on finding the 

 lungs and glands in a woman of seventy-five years of age, in 

 London, not more deeply coloured, than is usual at the age of 

 fifty. At present, I am unable to state any connection between 

 certain diseases, and the presence of coaly matter. 



