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"ON THE MODE IN WHICH THERAPEUTIC AGENTS INTRODUCED INTO THE STOMACH PRODUCE THEIR PECULIAR EFFECTS ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY."
TO WHICH THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON AWARDED THE FOTHERGILLIAN GOLD MEDAL FOR MDCCCLII.
PHILADELPHIA: LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON. 1853.
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR VERY OBLIGED
ON SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT CLASSIFICATIONS OF MEDICINES, AND OPINIONS OF AUTHORS RESPECTING THEIR ACTIONS 29
ON THE GENERAL MODES OF ACTION OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS INTRODUCED INTO THE STOMACH; TREATED OF IN TEN PROPOSITIONS 60
That the great majority of medicines must obtain entry into the blood, or internal fluids of the body, before their action can be manifested.
That the great majority of medicines are capable of solution in the gastric or intestinal secretions, and pass without material change, by a process of absorption, through the coats of the stomach and intestines, to enter the capillaries of the Portal system of veins.
That those medicines which are completely insoluble in water, and in the gastric and intestinal juices, cannot gain entrance into the circulation.
That some few remedial agents act locally on the mucous surface, either before absorption, or without being absorbed at all. That they are chiefly as follow:--
_a._ Irritant Emetics. _b._ Stomach Anæsthetics, _c._ Irritant Cathartics.
That the medicine, when in the blood, must permeate the mass of the circulation, so far as may be required to reach the parts on which it tends to act.
That there are two possible exceptions to this rule:--
_a._ The production of sensation or pain at a distant point. _b._ The production of muscular contraction at a distant point.
That while in the blood the medicine may undergo changes, which in some cases may, in others may not, affect its influence. That these changes may be--
_a._ Of Combination. _b._ Of Reconstruction. _c._ Of Decomposition.
That a first class of medicines, called Hæmatics, act while in the blood, which they influence. That their action is permanent.
1. That of these some, called Restoratives, act by supplying, or causing to be supplied, a material wanting; and may remain in the blood.