erial cannot be made to dissolve in alkaline lixivium by time and
trituration, we have also reason to believe that it is pus."
Experiments on Pus and Mucus. Cadell. London.

7. _Phthisis pulmonalis._ In pulmonary consumption the fever is generally
supposed to be the consequence of the stimulus of absorbed matter
circulating in the blood-vessels, and not simply of its stimulus on their
extremities in the surface of the ulcers; as mentioned in Class II. 1. 5.
and Class II. 1. 3. 9. The ulcers are probably sometimes occasioned by the
putrid acrimony of effused blood remaining in the air-cells of the lungs
after an haemoptoe. See Class I. 2. 1. 9. The remote cause of consumption
is ingeniously ascribed by Dr. Beddoes to the hyper-oxygenation of the
blood, as mentioned Section XXVIII. 2.

As the patients liable to consumption are of the inirritable temperament,
as appears by the large pupils of their eyes; there is reason to believe,
that the haemoptoe is immediately occasioned by the deficient absorption of
the blood at the extremities of the bronchial vein; and that one difficulty
of healing the ulcers is occasioned by the deficient absorption of the
fluids effused into them. See Sect. XXX. 1. and 2.

The difficulty of healing pulmonary ulcers may be owing, as its remote
cause, to the incessant motion of all the parts of the lungs; whence no
scab, or indurated mucus, can be formed so as to adhere on them. Whence
these naked ulcers are perpetually exposed to the action of the air on
their surfaces, converting their mild purulent matter into a contagious
ichor; which not only prevents them from healing, but by its action on
their circumferences, like the matter of itch or tinea, contributes to
spread them wider. See the preceding article, and Sect. XXXIII. 2. 7. where
the pulmonary phthisis is supposed to be infectious.

This acidifying principle is found in all the metallic calces, as in lapis
calaminaris, which is a calciform ore of zinc; and in cerussa, which is a
calx of lead; two materials which are powerful in healing excoriations, and
ulcers, in a short time by their external application. How then does it
happen, that the oxygen in the atmosphere should prevent pulmonary ulcers
from healing, and even induce them to spread wider; and yet in its
combination with metals, it should facilitate their healing? The healing of
ulcers consists in promoting the absorption of the fluids effused into
them, as treated of