11? 



life are not so much worn out, consequently they require less re- 

 absorbed from the system itself, may be sufficient to preserve life 

 for a considerable period. In the case above related, life must have 



furnished by one part of his own system, to repair other parts 

 more essential to his being. 



It is well known that in the most perfect health, many fluids 

 after having been secreted by the arteries, are again resumed by 

 the absorbents, and carried into the venous system to be again, 

 in all probability, used for the nutrition of some particular organs 

 for which, from their nature, they may be well adapted. This is 



which are considered^ recrementitious, but also in respect to the 

 urine, and the alimentary mass, after the separation of the chyle. 

 The urine, if long retained in the bladder, becomes darker in its 

 colour, and more highly charged with saline matter, than when it 

 is early expelled. This arises from the absorption of its more 

 •watery parts. The faeces also become indurated in consequence 

 of the absorption of the fluid parts, and the breath and cutane- 

 ous transpiration become tainted with the effluvia. It is not im- 

 probable that the general muss of fluids is much more frequently 



With a knowledge of these facts, it ought not to be considered 

 unreasonable, were we to conclude, that the system may, for 

 a time, be sustained by its own resources— that is, that some 

 of its less essential constituents may be absorbed and used for 

 the nourishment of organs concerned in the nobler functions, 

 upon which the continuance of life depends. I am inclined 

 to the opinion that such is the ordinary course in the most 

 perfect health— namely, that a portion of matter which is no long- 

 er fit for sustaining one organ, may yet be fit for the nutrition of 

 some others; and that in this manner it may serve to nourish 

 several tissues before it becomes utterly effete, and is absolutely 

 required to be expelled from the system. It is also probable that 

 in some extraordinary states of the system, such as in the case 

 mentioned, matter is longer retained than in the ordinary condi- 

 tion of the body, when the functions are all well performed, and 

 an adequate supply of food regularly taken ;— just as happens in 

 ordinary repairs, when good materials are wanting, such as can 



