ual waste of the
weight of the body; and as all other muscular exertions are best performed,
when the body possesses its usual degree of warmth, it is conclusive, that
the absorbent system should likewise do its office best, when it is not
benumbed by external cold.

The austere acids, as of vitriol, lemon-juice, juice of crabs and sloes,
strengthen digestion, and prevent that propensity to sweat so usual to weak
convalescents, and diminish the colliquative sweats in hectic fevers; all
which are owing to their increasing the action of the external and internal
cutaneous absorption. Hence vitriolic acid is given in the small-pox to
prevent the too hasty or too copious eruption, which it effects, by
increasing the cutaneous absorption. Vinegar, from the quantity of alcohol
which it contains, exerts a contrary effect to that here described, and
belongs to the incitantia; as an ounce of it promotes sweat, and a flushing
of the skin; at the same time externally it acts as a venous absorbent, as
the lips become pale by moistening them with it. And it is said, when taken
internally in great and continued quantity, to induce paleness of the skin,
and softness of the bones.

The sweet vegetable acids, as of several ripe fruits, are among the
torpentia; as they are less stimulating than the general food of this
climate, and are hence used in inflammatory diseases.

Where the quantity of fluids in the system is much lessened, as in hectic
fever, which has been of some continuance, or in spurious peripneumony, a
grain of opium given at night will sometimes prevent the appearance of
sweats; which is owing to the stimulus of opium increasing the actions of
the cutaneous absorbents, more than those of the secerning vessels of the
skin. Whence the secretion of perspirable matter is not decreased, but its
appearance on the skin is prevented by its more facile absorption.

3. There is one kind of itch, which seldom appears between the fingers, is
the least infectious, and most difficult to eradicate, and which has its
cure much facilitated by the internal use of acid of vitriol. This disease
consists of small ulcers in the skin, which are healed by whatever
increases the cutaneous absorption. The external application of sulphur,
mercury, and acrid vegetables, acts on the same principle; for the
animalcula, which are seen in these pustules, are the effect, not the
cause, of them; as all other stagnating animal fluids, as the semen itsel