3d. The inflammation of each gland has a particular character. That of the kidneys does not resemble that of the liver, the testicles, &c. The prostate gland when inflamed produces symptoms wholly different from those of the testicles, &c. I do not speak of the differences resulting from the diversity of the fluids, but only of those which arise from the difference of texture.
4th. Each gland has its peculiar diseases, or such at least to which it is disposed more than the others. Hydatids are very often found near the convexity of the liver; they are never seen in the salivary glands or the testicles. Though the parotid glands are as much exposed to the action of external bodies as the testicles, there are twenty sarcoceles to one scirrhus of these glands. The liver alone exhibits that peculiar state that is called fatty; no gland is more frequently the seat of steatomatous tumours. Physicians who have opened but few bodies, employ the vague and insignificant word _obstruction_, &c. for every kind of glandular swelling. But observe that most commonly these swellings have nothing in common among them but the increase in size; their nature is wholly different, and yet observe how ignorant many are in medicine; they perceive by the touch that there is a hardness of the liver, and immediately aperients, the acetate of potash, &c. are the common means which they oppose to hydatids, to steatomatous tumours, to scirrhi with granulations like marble, to fatty livers and to a hundred different alterations from which the increase of size may arise, as if it was this increase and not the kind of tumour that produced it, which they had to combat. Give then also aperients when the liver displaced by hydrothorax projects unnaturally, and you will act almost as rationally.
5th. Each gland exhibits peculiar modifications in those evacuations that are called critical, of which it is sometimes the seat after long diseases, &c. &c.
6th. It is also to the difference of vitality of the different parts of the glandular system, that must be referred the following phenomenon; certain glands enter suddenly into action, either from a direct irritation, or a sympathetic excitement, as the lachrymal for example, which from a state of remission passes suddenly from the influence of the passions, to that of copious secretion. On the contrary, it requires some time to excite the other glands, as for example the kidneys, pancreas, &c. which cannot suddenly pour out their fluids, whatever may be the excitement they experience. The same stimulus applied to the conjunctiva, produces a flow of tears, and at the same time increases the action of the Meibomian glands; but the first effect takes place before the other. The same stimuli applied to the mucous surfaces can never produce a catarrhal discharge till the expiration of some time.