re excited into greater
action. Whence in anasarca the fluids in the cellular membrane throughout
the whole body are absorbed during the sickness, and frequently a great
quantity of atmospheric moisture at the same time; as appears by the very
great discharge of urine, which sometimes happens in these cases; and in
ileus the prodigious evacuations by vomiting, which are often a hundred
fold greater than the quantity swallowed, evince the great action of all
the other absorbents during the sickness of the stomach.

3. But when the stomach is rendered permanently sick by an emetic drug, as
by digitalis, it is not probable, that much accumulation of sensorial power
is soon produced in this organ; because its usual quantity of sensorial
power is previously exhausted by the great stimulus of the foxglove; and
hence it seems probable, that the great accumulation of sensorial power,
which now causes the increased action of the absorbents, is produced in
consequence of the inactivity of the heart and arteries; which inactivity
is induced by deficient excitement of the sensorial power of association
between those organs and the stomach, and not by any previous exhaustion of
their natural quantity of sensorial power; whereas in ileus, where the
torpor of the stomach, and consequent sickness, is induced by reverse
sympathy with an inflamed intestine, that is, by dissevered or defective
association; the accumulation of sensorial power, which in that disease so
violently actuates the cellular, pulmonary, and cutaneous absorbents, is
apparently produced by the torpor of the stomach and lacteals, and the
consequent accumulation of the sensorial power of association in them owing
to their lessened action in sickness.

4. This accounts for the dry skin in fevers with weak pulse, where the
stomach and the heart and arteries are in a torpid state, and for the
sudden emaciation of the body; because the actions of the cellular and
cutaneous absorbents are increased by reverse sympathy with those of the
stomach, or with those of the heart and arteries; that is by the
expenditure of that sensorial power of association, which is accumulated in
consequence of the torpor of the stomach and heart and arteries, or of
either of them; this also explains the sudden absorption of the milk in
puerperal fevers; and contributes along with the heat of the respired air
to the dryness of the mucous membrane of the tongue and nostrils.

5. Besides the rever