ther means be prevented from absorbing
this exhaled fluid, an accumulation of it will take place: the same
will happen, if the exhaling arteries be debilitated, so as to allow
a greater quantity of fluid to escape than the absorbents can take
up. When the balance between exhalation and absorption is destroyed,
by either or both of these means, a dropsy will be the consequence.

Before we finish the subject of digestion, I shall take a short view
of some of the morbid affections, attending this important function
of the animal economy.

A deficiency of appetite may arise, either from an affection of the
stomach, or a morbid state of the body: for there is such a sympathy
between the stomach and the rest of the system, that the first is
very seldom disordered, without communicating more or less disorder
to the system: nor can the system become deranged and the stomach
remain sound.

A want of appetite may arise from overloading the stomach, whereby
its digestive powers will be weakened. And this may be occasioned in
two ways. First, by taking food of the common quality in too great
quantity, which will certainly weaken the powers of the stomach. An
excellent rule, and one which if more attended to, would prevent the
dreadful consequences of indigestion, is always to rise from the
table with some remains of appetite. This is a rule applicable to
every constitution, but particularly to the sedentary and
debilitated.

The second way in which the stomach may be debilitated, is by taking
food too highly stimulating or seasoned; and this even produces much
worse effects than an over dose with respect to quantity. The tone of
the stomach is destroyed, and a crude unassimilated chyle is absorbed
by the lacteals, and carried into the blood, contaminating its whole
mass. Made dishes, enriched with hot sauces, stimulate infinitely
more than plain food, and bring on diseases of the worst kind: such
as gout, apoplexy, and paralysis. "For my part," says an elegant
writer, "when I behold a fashionable table set out in all its
magnificence, I fancy I see gouts, and dropsies, fevers, and
lethargies, with other innumerable distempers, lying in ambuscade
among the dishes."

All times of the day are not equally fitted for the reception of
nourishment. That digestion may be well performed, the functions of
the stomach and of the body must be in full vigour. The early part of
the day therefore is the proper time for taking nutriment; an