eparate a further
supply from the blood-vessels: and the lacteals or lymphatics, which open
their mouths into the stomach, are stimulated into action, and take up some
part of the digesting materials.

3. The remainder of these digesting materials is carried forwards into the
upper intestines, and stimulates them into their peristaltic motion similar
to that of the stomach; which continues gradually to mix the changing
materials, and pass them along through the valve of the colon to the
excretory end of this great gland, the sphincter ani.

The digesting materials produce a flow of bile, and of pancreatic juice, as
they pass along the duodenum, by stimulating the excretory ducts of the
liver and pancreas, which terminate in that intestine: and other branches
of the absorbent or lymphatic system, called lacteals, are excited to drink
up, as it passes, those parts of the digesting materials, that are proper
for their purpose, by its stimulus on their mouths.

4. When the stomach and intestines are thus filled with their proper food,
not only the motions of the gastric glands, the pancreas, liver, and
lacteal vessels, are excited into action; but at the same time the whole
tribe of irritative motions are exerted with greater energy, a greater
degree of warmth, colour, plumpness, and moisture, is given to the skin
from the increased action of those glands called capillary vessels;
pleasurable sensation is excited, the voluntary motions are less easily
exerted, and at length suspended; and sleep succeeds, unless it be
prevented by the stimulus of surrounding objects, or by voluntary exertion,
or by an acquired habit, which was originally produced by one or other of
these circumstances, as is explained in Sect. XXI. on Drunkenness.

At this time also, as the blood-vessels become replete with chyle, more
urine is separated into the bladder, and less of it is reabsorbed; more
mucus poured into the cellular membranes, and less of it reabsorbed; the
pulse becomes fuller, and softer, and in general quicker. The reason why
less urine and cellular mucus is absorbed after a full meal with sufficient
drink is owing to the blood-vessels being fuller: hence one means to
promote absorption is to decrease the resistance by emptying the vessels by
venesection. From this decreased absorption the urine becomes pale as well
as copious, and the skin appears plump as well as florid.

By daily repetition of these movements they all become con