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A Treatise on a Consumption of the Lungs &c. By Edward Barry
A human body being composed of al most an infinite number of vessels and fluids circulating through them, is from this very Condition of its frame Subject to a constant Decay ––
No Single part has a constant duration. even the most Solid is not exempt. The hair in a body is remov-ed twice in a year, the Nails every two months; and even the thigh bone, if broken, will unite by emitting fibres, which acquire an equal So lidity with the rest in the space of [water damage has obscured word] days ––
The Solids & Fluids from
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from repeated circulatingon and atrition is subject to decay, which if not supplied by nutrative particles exactly to repair the constant abrasions of the solid parts, and the acrimony of the fluids must soon be destroyed. By an increased circulation ye Saline and oily parts of the blood are become exalted in proportion to ye increase. their acrimony consists cheifly in the density of its particles of the The particles taken ^in for nourishment being lighter than the blood, not having been compacted by the action of the vessels ^is peculiarly adapated to correct and Supply the fluids with such particles as are requisite not only to sheath the acrimony of of ye fluids and prevent them from injuring the tender Solids, but to afford nutritious particles fresh chyle which after being elaborated by repeated circulation through ye different Series of vessels, deposits particles to fill up the cavities which were abraded from the Solids by the actions of life.
That health should be preserved it is necesary that ^ye quantity & quality of what is restored for ye Solids & fluids
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Should be exactly proportioned to the Strength of ye Constitution and ye losses sustained by the Action of Life; if the quantity of Nourishment be increased, tho' turn'd into good digested humours, the body becomes plethoric; and into bad, indigested, and not rightly asimilated Juices, the Body becomes Cachetick; if the quality of nourishment be diminshed, an Atrophy succeeds; if its quality be altered, & a vitiated humour is recieved into ye Vessels, or Cacochymy is thereby produced: This proportionate restoration of ye Solids & fluids, is what constitutes nutrition, which as widely differs from Reptilian, as water poured on ye Root of a tree differs from the last elaborate juice from where the fruit is produced ––
Aliment taken into ye mouth is there masticated & mixed with the Saliva, and in passing to ye Stomach receives from ye Oesophagus a liquor humour resembling ye Saliva in the Stomach it is further altered, and digested by the Heat of ye Stomach, the mixture of the
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the Juices seperated, or contained in it. the mecanic Action of its fibres, and ye comrehensive force of the circumambient parts ––
The Stomach is composed of Four Coats, the internal coat rises into Rugæ and on the convers Side of this coat small glands are seated which separates a mucilaginous humor, well adapted to lubricate and defend it from the acrimony of the food. & also prevent its sides from growing together - The heat of the Stomach in a healthy man is greater y.n the common heat of the Son in a Summers day ––
The Muscular force of the Stomach (cæt. par.) increases in proportion to the quantity, and acrimony, of whatever is recieved into the Stomach:
The Liver is placed on the right side of the Stomach; The spleen on the Left, the pancreas under it, the Diaphragm, ab above it, before it is placed the Peritoreum. which by the Successive Action of ye Muscles of ye Abdomen, gives a motion to the Stomach: opposite to that which it recieves from the Diaphragm, so that it lies as in a
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a press btween a press them; behind it is placed ye Aorta, ye largest vessel in ye body whose heat is considerable & constant vibratibrations are very considerable
No Acid in ye Stomach but what proceeds from the remains of a former meal, tho' this Acid frequently contributes to promote Digestion yet it is by no means absolutely necesary to it; and we find by experiment that Elix. Propriet. Tart. and aromatic Bitters which contain a volatile Salt, and are of a nature opposite to that of Acids, are often, with Success given to create an appetite, & mend a bad digestion
The food is mixed with a mucilaginous humor, and the Saliva, in the mouth, in the Oesophagus, and Stomach, with humours much of the Same Nature: In the Duodemum with the Pancreatic Juice and the Bile; which Part is ye most elaborate Juice Humour in the body having twice circulated through the last extremity of ye Arteries and thence acquired such a Saponaceous Activity, as chiefly contributes to alternate the viscosity of the Chyle, and to give it an uniform Consistence: In the other intestines it is mixed with a thin Juice exhaling from