407. The stomach should be supplied with food of a nutrient and digestible character, in proper quantities, and at stated periods. The chyle formed from the food stimulates the lacteals to activity, which activity is attended with an inactive state of the lymphatics of the skin and lungs. Thus due attention should be given to the food of the attendants on the sick, and the members of the family. Before visiting a sick person it is judicious to take a moderate amount of nutritious food.
Observation. Many individuals, to prevent contracting disease that may be communicated from one person to another, use tobacco, either chewed or smoked; and sometimes alcohol, with decoctions of bitter herbs. These substances do not diminish, but tend to increase, the activity of the lymphatics. Thus they make use of the means by which the poisonous matter formed in the system of the diseased person, may be more readily conveyed into their own.
408. The skin and clothing, as well as the bed-linen, should be frequently cleansed. This will remove the poisonous matter that may be deposited upon the skin and garments, which, if suffered to remain, might be conveyed into the system by the action of the lymphatics. This points also to a frequent change of the wearing apparel, as well as the coverings of the bed. In visiting the unhealthy districts of the South and West, the liability of contracting disease is much lessened by taking a supply of food at proper periods, keeping the skin and clothing in a clean state, the room well ventilated, and avoiding the damp chills of evening.
409. Absorption by the skin is most vigorous when the cuticle is removed by vesication, or blistering. Then external 190 applications are brought into immediate contact with the orifices of the lymphatics of the skin, and by them rapidly imbibed and circulated through the system. Thus arsenic applied to the cutaneous vessels, and strong solutions of opium to extensive burns, have been absorbed in quantities sufficient to poison the patient.
407. Why should the stomach be supplied with food of a nutrient and digestible character? What is said of the use of alcohol, or tobacco, in preventing the introduction of the poisonous matter of contagious diseases? 408. Why should the clothing and bed-linen be frequently washed? What suggestion to persons in visiting the unhealthy districts of the South and West? 409. When is cutaneous absorption most vigorous? Why?
410. When the cuticle is only punctured or abraded, poisonous matter may be introduced into the system. The highly respected Dr. W., of Boston, lost his life by poisonous matter from the body of a patient subjected to a post mortem examination. He had removed from his finger, previous to the examination, a “hang-nail,” and the poison from the dead body was brought in contact with the denuded part, and through the agency of the lymphatics it was conveyed into the system.
411. Puncture any part of the cuticle with the finest instrument that has upon its point the smallest conceivable quantity of the vaccine virus, or small-pox matter, and it will be brought into contact with the lymphatic vessels, and through their agency conveyed into the system. The result is, that persons thus operated upon have the small-pox, or the vaccine disease.
412. When we expose ourselves to any poisonous vapors, or handle diseased animals or sick persons, safety and health require that the cuticle be not broken or otherwise injured. In many instances, the poisonous animal matter upon hides has been introduced into the systems of tanners, through small ulcers upon their fingers or hands. From these sores there would be seen small red lines extending up the arm. These swelled tracts indicate an inflammation of the large lymphatic 191 trunks, that have been irritated and diseased by the passage of poisonous matter through them into the system.
410. Do the same results follow, if the cuticle is only punctured? Relate an instance of death by the absorption of poisonous matter. 411. By what means is the vaccine matter introduced into the system? 412. What caution is necessary when we expose ourselves to poisonous vapors?
Observation. A distressing illustration of the absorption of deleterious substances from the surface of a sore, is seen in the favorite experiments of that class of “quacks,” who style themselves “cancer doctors.” With them, every trifling and temporary enlargement, or tumor, is a cancer. Their general remedy is arsenic; and happy is the unfortunate sufferer who escapes destruction in their hands, for too frequently their speedy cure is death.