y these membranes to preserve them moist and supple, for the
purposes of the senses of taste and of smell, which are extended beneath
their surfaces; this viscid mucus, when the aqueous part of it is
evaporated by the increased heat of the respired air, or is absorbed by the
too great action of the mucous absorbents, adheres closely on those
membranes, and is not without difficulty to be separated from them. This
dryness of the tongue and nostrils is a circumstance therefore worthy to be
attended to; as it shews the increased action of the pulmonary capillaries,
and the consequent increased heat of the expired air; and may thus
indicate, when colder air should be admitted to the patient. See Class I.
1. 3. 1. The middle part of the tongue becomes dry sooner, and recovers its
moisture later, than the edges of it; because the currents of respired air
pass most over the middle part of it. This however is not the case, when
the dryness of the tongue is owing only to the increased mucous absorption.
When however a frequent cough attends pulmonary inflammation, the edges of
the tongue are liable to be as much furred as the middle of it; as during
the action of coughing the middle of the tongue is depressed, so as to form
half a cylinder, to give a greater aperture for the emission of air from
the larynx; and the edges of it become thus as much exposed to the currents
of air, as the middle parts of it.

3. When the internal capillaries or glands sympathize with the cutaneous
capillaries; or when any of them are previously affected with torpor, and
the external or cutaneous capillaries are affected secondarily; other
symptoms are produced, which render the paroxysms of fever still more
complicate. Thus if the spleen or pancreas are primarily or secondarily
affected, so as to be rendered torpid or quiescent, they are liable to
become enlarged, and to remain so even after the extinction of the
fever-fit. These in some intermittent fevers are perceptible to the hand,
and are called ague-cakes; their tumour seems to be owing to the permanent
torpor of the absorbent system, the secerning vessels continuing to act
some time afterwards. If the secretory vessels of the liver are affected
first with torpor, and afterwards with orgasm, a greater secretion of bile
is produced, which sometimes causes a diarrhoea. If a torpor of the
kidneys, and of the absorbents of the bladder occurs, either primarily, or
by sympathy with the cutaneous capil