e; which gives pain, when the muscles move over it, as
some extraneous body would do, which was too insoluble to be absorbed.
Hence there is an analogy between this chronic rheumatism and the diseases
which produce gravel or gout-stones; and it may perhaps receive relief from
the same remedies, such as aerated sal soda.

* * * * *

SECT. XXVII.

OF HAEMORRHAGES.

I. _The veins are absorbent vessels._ 1. _Haemorrhages from
inflammation. Case of haemorrhage from the kidney cured by cold bathing.
Case of haemorrhage from the nose cured by cold immersion._ II.
_Haemorrhage from venous paralysis. Of Piles. Black stools. Petechiae.
Consumption. Scurvy of the lungs. Blackness of the face and eyes in
epileptic fits. Cure of haemorrhages from venous inability._

I. As the imbibing mouths of the absorbent system already described open on
the surface, and into the larger cavities of the body, so there is another
system of absorbent vessels, which are not commonly esteemed such, I mean
the veins, which take up the blood from the various glands and capillaries,
after their proper fluids or secretions have been separated from it.

The veins resemble the other absorbent vessels; as the progression of their
contents is carried on in the same manner in both, they alike absorb their
appropriated fluids, and have valves to prevent its regurgitation by the
accidents of mechanical violence. This appears first, because there is no
pulsation in the very beginnings of the veins, as is seen by microscopes;
which must happen, if the blood was carried into them by the actions of the
arteries. For though the concurrence of various venous streams of blood
from different distances must prevent any pulsation in the larger branches,
yet in the very beginnings of all these branches a pulsation must
unavoidably exist, if the circulation in them was owing to the intermitted
force of the arteries. Secondly, the venous absorption of blood from the
penis, and from the teats of female animals after their erection, is still
more similar to the lymphatic absorption, as it is previously poured into
cells, where all arterial impulse must cease.

There is an experiment, which seems to evince this venous absorption, which
consists in the external application of a stimulus to the lips, as of
vinegar, by which they become instantly pale; that is, the bibulous mouths
of the veins by this stimulus are excite