[64] "Substances presented to the gastro-intestinal surfaces, are mixed up with various secretions, mucus, saliva, gastric juice, bile, pancreatic liquor, and special exudations from the peculiar glands of each successive section, while aerial poisons, unmixed and unfettered, are applied at once to a surface on which, behind scarcely a shadow of a film, circulates the blood prepared, by the habitual action of the respiratory function, to absorb almost every vapour, and every odour, which may not be too irritating to pass the gates of the glottis."—Mitchell on Fevers.
[65] Hecker on the "Black Death."
[66] The stomach in some cases is no doubt the medium by which some diseases are contracted. It is well known, that in many places the water induces diarrhœa, the permanent residents, however, may not suffer, but all new comers are more or less affected by drinking it.
[67] "Similar effects have been experienced from the use of mouldy provisions."—Dr. Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom.
[68] "Untold numbers die of the diseases produced by scanty and unwholesome food."—Southey.
A large, nay, a most extensive adulteration of flour with plaster of Paris was detected not many years since. The flour was supplied by a contractor for the manufacture of biscuits for the navy.
[69] See Southey's Doctor, vol. ii. interchapter vi. p. 115, for an illustration of this subject.
[70] Both these patients died.
[71] "A good part of the clove trees which grew so plentifully in the island of Ternate, being felled at the solicitation of the Dutch, in order to heighten the price of that fruit, such a change ensued in the air, as shewed the salutary effect of the effluvia of clove trees and their blossoms; the whole island, soon after they were cut down, becoming exceeding sickly."
[72] The observation is originally taken from the City Remembrancer, 133.