90 
ON RED-WATER IN CATTLE. 
formance of this vital function. Be that as it will, we have con- 
clusive evidence that Nature is fertile in her resources on this 
point. We are informed on good authority, that, of “ six pints of 
warm water injected into the abdomen of a living dog, not more 
than Jiv remained at the expiration of six hours the truth is, we 
know very little of the modus operandi , although perfectly aware 
of the fact. In consequence, as we have observed, of the re-absorp- 
tion of these putrid matters, and their presence in the circulation, 
a most important action takes place. It is an established fact in 
pathology, that “ if putrid muscle is placed on fibrine or on a fresh 
wound, disease or death are the consequence. Is it not plain that 
these substances communicate their own state of putrefaction to the 
sound blood from which they were originally produced?” I have 
no doubt it will be fresh in your recollection, that, in one of the 
Lectures delivered before us a few days ago, it was stated as an 
acknowledged fact, that u the animal system suffers much more by 
the removal of a small portion of integument by gangrene than 
it does by the removal of a much larger portion of healthy skin by 
the knife thus proving that the putrid matter consequent on the 
state of gangrene is absorbed into the system, giving rise to the 
different effects stated above, and which, on the best authority, 
clearly establishes the principle for which I contend. 
Thus the morbid virus appears to reproduce itself, just as seeds 
reproduce seeds. If, as we have assumed, the animal is in a weakly 
state, and the constitution unhealthy, &c., on the absorption of these 
putrid matters into the circulation they will meet with others of a 
similar nature, or matters having a tendency to take on the same 
morbid action, and as a natural sequence, disease is at once produced. 
This is plain from the circumstance under which vaccine matter is 
lodged in the human body. In that material there exists something 
of a nature analogous to the matter of which small-pox is pro- 
duced, and consequently other virus will be produced, the circum- 
stances being the same, &c. 
Admitting, then, that the poison has found its way into the blood, 
it will either spread itself over every part of the body, or its opera- 
tion will be limited to certain organs, according to the feebleness 
or the intensity of their resistance : thus, when all the organs are 
in proper and healthy action, such substances are removed from the 
system. Should any of the organs be incapable of performing 
their stated functions, those that are in a normal state take on 
themselves increased action. Physiologists agree that morbid 
matter may be ejected from the system by an excretory action of 
the skin ; but there exists such derangement of the integument as 
unfits it for performing this natural and salutary process. 
The next excretory or secretory organs we find affected arc the 
