It obviously occurs as a first objection to this theory, that evacuation, from its nature, cannot easily be supposed capable of producing a cure of _lues venerea_. The changes which evacuation may produce upon the fluids of the body, can only be conceived to be of two kinds. They must either depend on a diminution of the quantity of the fluids, or on a change of their quality. But, it is not easy to conceive how the effects of the _venereal virus_ should be removed, or on what footing this virus should be expelled from the system, by either of these changes, when induced by evacuation. A mere diminution of the quantity of circulating fluids, is certainly insufficient for the cure of _lues venerea_. The venereal matter, as present in the body, must either be diffused through the whole mass of fluids, or confined to particular parts only. If it be diffused through the whole mass, the taint, even after the most considerable evacuations, will remain equally strong in the fluids still left in the body. And, as the venereal virus evidently possesses a power of assimulation, when in the human system, the whole mass of fluids would soon return to its former state. This being the case, then, it must be allowed, that an inconsiderable diminution of quantity cannot reasonably be supposed to counteract an infection which exists in the remaining mass. If, on the other hand, the venereal poison be supposed to exist only as a noxious matter in the body, when collected at particular parts, it is equally difficult to conceive, how evacuation from its nature should produce a cure. It never has been observed, that mercury particularly encreases the discharge by those parts where the venereal matter appears actually to exist. In almost every case where it is used only internally, there is no encrease of evacuation by venereal ulcerations. It cannot, however, be imagined, that a discharge which takes place by the salivary glands or skin, will particularly evacuate what is lodged in the genitals, or extremities. We may therefore, with certainty, conclude that evacuation does not at least cure _lues venerea_ by any change arising merely from a diminution of the quantity of circulating fluids.