We see by this table that the absorbents when charged with injurious substances, sometimes do not transmit them beyond the part and sometimes carry them to the blood, which conveys them to the different organs of the economy. Some authors have thought that in those cases in which the effects of the absorption become general, there is rather nervous action and sympathetic phenomena, than the transmission of an injurious matter into the circulation, and that consequently the solids take almost an exclusive part in these diseases. But to remove all doubt upon this point it is sufficient to observe, 1st, that, in the absorption of many contagious substances, for example, when from the puncture of the finger with a scalpel impregnated with putrid substances, a pain is produced, there is even a redness along the whole course of the absorbents of the arm, and the axillary glands afterwards swell; 2d, that by transfusing into the veins most of the substances that are applied in frictions, effects analogous to those which take place in these frictions are produced. Thus purgatives and emetics, transfused or absorbed, act upon the intestines and stomach the same as if introduced in any other way. It seems to me that sufficient use has not been made of the experiments of the last age upon transfusions. By comparing their effect with that which takes place upon the cutaneous organ, I think that it is impossible not to admit a morbific principle in the blood, at the time of contagious diseases. 3d. After the use of mercury taken in frictions, the emanations of this metal from the animal fluids, act evidently upon silver when placed in the mouth, the rectum, &c. I am persuaded even that the blood which in the natural state exerts but very little action upon this metal, would alter it then. Accoucheurs know that the waters of the amnios of those women who have made use of mercurial frictions exhibit the same phenomenon. 4th. Many substances that are not medicinal can be transmitted to the blood by cutaneous absorption. Water appears to enter it in this way, in the rapid production of certain dropsies, in those cases related of travellers, who wanting fresh water on the ocean, have in part quenched their thirst by surrounding themselves with damp clothes, &c. When our garments are impregnated with the oil of turpentine, the urine soon acquires an odour that is owing to the principles transmitted to the blood by absorption. Many judicious philosophers have asserted that the weight of the body has been increased by a walk in the morning.