DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF CIRCULATION 77 



absorption of fluid from the tissues (cathartics, diuretics), and by 

 stimulating the blood circulation (digitalis). The important 

 resorbents are the following: 



1. The iodine preparations, potassium iodide, tincture of 

 iodine and iodoform, which are used internally as well as exter- 

 nally. Internally, iodine has a paralyzing and lethal effect upon 

 pathological cell collections, especially the cells of goitre, the cells of 

 the lymph glands, and white blood-corpuscles, causing them to 

 rapidly undergo fatty and granular degeneration, after which they 

 are resorbed and disposed of through the process of metabolism. 

 In addition, iodine has a specific action against actinomycosis 

 (but not against botryomycosis) and the neoplasms of tertiary 

 syphilis of man. In chronic metallic poisonings, iodine acts inter- 

 nally as a resorbent by combining with the almost insoluble metals 

 (mercury, lead) and forming the more soluble and more easily 

 absorbed iodides. When applied externally, the absorbent action 

 of iodine results from the production of an erysipelatous-like 

 inflammation, with outwandering of leucocytes (local leucocytosis 

 and phagocjrtosis), the absorption of masses of pathological 

 exudates by these cells, and the liberation of enzymes and 

 histolysis. 



2. The alkalies (sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium 

 sulphate, Carlsbad salts and ammonium chloride) dissolve and 

 liquefy the solid inflammatory products, catarrhal secretions and 

 croupous exudates upon the mucous membranes, serous mem- 

 branes, in the lungs, liver and other internal organs; increase me- 

 tabolism, thus increasing resorption; increase diffusion through the 

 animal membranes, especially the vessel walls; stimulate the secre- 

 tory and excretory activity of the glands, and neutralize and dis- 

 solve acids which collect in the body and are precipitated in dis- 

 eased conditions (uric acid). Externally, the alkalies (soda, 

 potash, lye, soap) also act as resorbents by softening and dissolving 

 the products of chronic inflammation of the skin. 



3. Sulphur acts indirectly as an absorbent by stimulating 

 metabolism and increasing the secretions of the glands (liver, 

 ■cutaneous glands, mucous glands). It is therefore usually em- 



