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THE

ACTION OF MEDICINES

IN

THE SYSTEM;

OR,

"ON THE MODE IN WHICH THERAPEUTIC AGENTS INTRODUCED
INTO THE STOMACH PRODUCE THEIR PECULIAR
EFFECTS ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY."

Being the Prize Essay

TO WHICH THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON AWARDED THE
FOTHERGILLIAN GOLD MEDAL FOR MDCCCLII.

BY

FREDERICK WILLIAM HEADLAND, B.A.,

M. R. C. S., ETC.

[Illustration]

PHILADELPHIA:
LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON.
1853.


WM. S. YOUNG PRINTER


TO

THE PRESIDENT, OFFICERS, AND FELLOWS

OF THE

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,

This Essay

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR VERY OBLIGED

FRIEND AND SERVANT,

THE AUTHOR.




   CONTENTS.

   CHAPTER I.
                                                                   PAGE

   INTRODUCTORY REMARKS                                              13

   CHAPTER II.

   ON SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT CLASSIFICATIONS OF
   MEDICINES, AND OPINIONS OF AUTHORS RESPECTING
   THEIR ACTIONS                                                     29

   CHAPTER III.

   ON THE GENERAL MODES OF ACTION OF THERAPEUTIC
   AGENTS INTRODUCED INTO THE STOMACH; TREATED OF IN
   TEN PROPOSITIONS                                                  60

   PROP. I.                                                          61

   That the great majority of medicines must obtain entry
   into the blood, or internal fluids of the body, before their
   action can be manifested.

   PROP. II.                                                         68

   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.

   PROP. III.                                                        87

   That those medicines which are completely insoluble in
   water, and in the gastric and intestinal juices, cannot gain
   entrance into the circulation.

   PROP. IV.                                                         90

   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 Anaesthetics,
    _c._ Irritant Cathartics.

   PROP. V.                                                          98

   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.

   PROP. VI.                                                        103

   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.

   PROP. VII.                                                       106

   That a first class of medicines, called Haematics, 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.

     2. That others, called Catalytics, act so as to counteract
        a morbid material or process; and must pass out of
        the body.

   PROP. VIII.                                                      217

   That a second class of medicines, called Neurotics, act by
   passing from the blood to the nerves or nerve-centres, which
   they influence. That they are transitory in action.

     1. That of these some, called stimulants, act so as to
        exalt nervous force, in general or in particular.

     2. That others called Narcotics, act so as first to exalt
        nervous force, and then to depress it; and have also a
        special influence on the intellectual part of the brain.

     3. That others again, called Sedatives, act so as to depress
        nervous force, in general or in particular.

   PROP. IX.                                                        256

   That a third class of medicines, called Astringents, act by
   passing from the blood to muscular fibre, which they excite
   to contraction.

   PROP. X.                                                         268

   That a fourth class of medicines, called Eliminatives, act
   by passing out the blood through the glands, which they
   excite to the performance of their functions.

   CHAPTER IV.                                                      309

   ON THE ACTION OF SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT MEDICINES
   IN PARTICULAR




A

CLASS