[44] I do not here mean to imply that the products of the actions of all glands are destined for excretion. It is probable that the bile and some other secretions are partly re-absorbed into the blood. But we are now concerned only with the function of glands as emunctories. [45] No lists of the Eliminative orders will be given; for as only a general outline of the mode of action of these medicines is intended, a detailed enumeration of the remedies comprised in each order would be a needless appropriation of space. [46] It has been asserted by Dr. Murray that it is impossible for Mercury to pass off in the urine, on account of the Phosphoric acid contained in that secretion, which would precipitate the metal. But Phosphoric acid is also contained in the blood; and Mercury has been discovered in the urine. [47] Reference is made at the end of each article to those parts of the Essay in which the remedy has been mentioned before. [48] See Pereira's "Materia Medica," vol. i. p. 204. [49] See account of the mode of preparation, by the Author, in the second edition of Dr. Royle's "Manual of Materia Medica." Transcriber's Note The oe ligature is represented by [oe] Subscripts are introduced by an underscore, e.g. CO_{2} Greek words have been transliterated, e.g. [Greek: kineô] The apothecaries' symbol for the dram is represented by [dram]. When followed by "j" the quantity is 1 dram; when followed by "ss" the quantity is 1/2 dram. The apothecaries' dram is 3.8879346 grams. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Action of Medicines in the System, by Frederick William Headland