CHAP. I.] VARIOUS AFFECTIONS ENUMERATED. 293 



of the emulgent and vena cava, to the heart itselfc 

 This last event, however, is so immediately the 

 precursor of dissolution, that no other benefit can 

 arise from the doctor's skill in this respect, than 

 bidding him to cease his efforts, to forbear to tor- 

 ture the expiring patient, and to preserve his me- 

 dicines for a less forlorn purpose : the pulse, by its 

 extreme languor, tells when hope itself must resign 

 its place. 



DIABETES, OR, EXCESSIVE STALING. 



The cause of animals discharging great quanti- 

 ties of urine cannot in every case be traced to its 

 right source ; but one thing always happens, namely, 

 irritability of the bladder, by reason of the absence 

 of the mucous secretion that is to protect it against 

 the saline effects of the urine : see page 158. A 

 defect in the mucous secretion of the whole system 

 succeeds the disorder termed molten grease, and 

 the irritation just spoken of soon communicates to 

 the kidneys, which are thus compelled to secrete 

 urine to the utmost extent of their power, and to 

 send it forward to the bladder. To an impoverished 

 state of the blood, arising mostly from the use of 

 strong medicines for the cure of inflammatory dis- 

 eases, leaves more of lymph than of serum in the 

 vital fluid, with an accelerated tendency to increase 

 that baleful difference — may be ascribed the chief 

 cause of this obstinate disease. Bad dry provender, 

 with ill-usage, and the denial of green food, in sea- 

 son, have a similarly evil effect on the blood. 



o3 



