ly. Hence the expectoration
in coughs, and the mucous discharge from the urethra, are thickened and
lessened.

3. Absorption from the cellular membrane is promoted by bitter vegetables,
and by emetics, and cathartics. Hence matter is thickened and lessened in
ulcers by opium and Peruvian bark; and serum is absorbed in anasarca by the
operation of emetics and cathartics.

4. Venous absorption is increased by acrid vegetables; as water-cress,
cellery, horse-radish, mustard. Hence their use in sea-scurvy, the vibices
of which are owing to a defect of venous absorption; and by external
stimulants, as vinegar, and by electricity, and perhaps by oxygen.

5. Intestinal absorption is increased by astringent vegetables, as rhubarb,
galls; and by earthy salts, as alum; and by argillaceous and calcareous
earth.

6. Hepatic absorption is increased by metallic salts, hence calomel and sal
martis are so efficacious in jaundice, worms, chlorosis, dropsy.

7. Venereal virus in ulcers is absorbed by the stimulus of mercury; hence
they heal by the use of this medicine.

8. Venesection, hunger, thirst, and violent evacuations, increase all
absorptions; hence sweating produces costiveness.

9. Externally bitter astringent vegetables, earthy and metallic salts, and
bandages, promote the absorption of the parts on which they are applied.

10. All these in their usual doses do not increase the natural heat; but
they induce costiveness, and deep coloured urine with earthy sediment.

In greater doses they invert the motions of the stomach and lacteals; and
hence vomit or purge, as carduus benedictus, rhubarb. They promote
perspiration, if the skin be kept warm; as camomile tea, and testaceous
powders, have been used as sudorifics.

The preparations of antimony vomit, purge, or sweat, either according to
the quantity exhibited, or as a part of what is given is evacuated. Thus a
quarter of a grain of emetic tartar (if well prepared) will promote a
diaphoresis, if the skin be kept warm; half a grain will procure a stool or
two first, and sweating afterwards; and a grain will generally vomit, and
then purge, and lastly sweat the patient. In less quantity it is probable,
that this medicine acts like other metallic salts, as steel, zinc, or
copper in small doses; that is, that it strengthens the system by its
stimulus. As camomile or rhubarb in different doses vomit, or purge, or act
as stimulants so as to strengthen the system.

II. OBSE