of the thinner parts of it; hence the pale
and bloated complexion, and swelled upper lip, of wormy children, is owing
to the concomitant deficiency of absorption from the cellular membrane.
Salt of steel, or the rust of it, or filings of it, with bitters, increase
the acrimony of the bile by promoting the absorption of its aqueous part;
and hence destroy worms, as well as by their immediate action on the
intestines, or on the worms themselves. The cure is facilitated by
premising a purge with calomel. See Class I. 2. 3. 9.

5. The chlorosis is another disease owing to the deficient action of the
absorbents of the liver, and perhaps in some degree also to that of the
secretory vessels, or glands, which compose that viscus. Of this the want
of the catameniae, which is generally supposed to be a cause, is only a
symptom or consequence. In this complaint the bile is deficient perhaps in
quantity, but certainly in acrimony, the thinner parts not being absorbed
from it. Now as the bile is probably of great consequence in the process of
making the blood; it is on this account that the blood is so destitute of
red globules; which is evinced by the great paleness of these patients. As
this serous blood must exert less stimulus on the heart, and arteries, the
pulse in consequence becomes quick as well as weak, as explained in Sect.
XII. 1. 4.

The quickness of the pulse is frequently so great and permanent, that when
attended by an accidental cough, the disease may be mistaken for hectic
fever; but is cured by chalybeates, and bitters exhibited twice a day; with
half a grain of opium, and a grain of aloe every night; and the expected
catamenia appears in consequence of a restoration of the due quantity of
red blood. This and the two former articles approach to the disease termed
paralysis of the liver. Sect. XXX. 1. 4.

6. It seems paradoxical, that the same treatment with chalybeates, bitters,
and opiates, which produces menstruation in chlorotic patients, should
repress the too great or permanent menstruation, which occurs in weak
constitutions at the time of life when it should cease. This complaint is
an haemorrhage owing to the debility of the absorbent power of the veins,
and belongs to the paragraph on venous absorption above described, and is
thence curable by chalybeates, alum, bitters, and particularly by the
exhibition of a grain of opium every night with five grains of rhubarb.

7. Metallic salts supply us with ver