The mucous membrane is a duplicature of the skin, and is folded into the
external orifices of the animal, as the mouth, ears, nose, lungs,
stomach, intestines, and bladder; but not being so much exposed to the
action of external agents, it is not so strong or thick as the skin. It
performs, however, nearly the same office as the skin. If the action of
one is suppressed, the other immediately commences the performance of
its office. Thus a common cold, which collapses the skin, immediately
stops insensible perspiration, which recedes to the mucous membrane,
producing a discharge from the nose, eyes, bowels, &c. So, when great
derangement of the mucous membrane exists, debilitating perspiration
succeeds. In the treatment of diseases of the mucous membrane, we
endeavor to remove the irritating causes from the organs affected,
restore the general tone of the system, and invite action to the
external surface.