How this sharp acid Humour comes to be secerned in the Glands, seems
to want Explanation, and this I judge to be in the following Manner.
The Blood being first imbued with a sufficient Quantity of these saline
heterogeneous Particles, which it receives from the corrupted Chyle,
is by Degrees disturbed in its Motion, and the Fibres of the Nerves
begin to be sensibly irritated, so as to cause irregular Motions of the
animal Spirits. The Blood itself is thickned, because these saline and
viscid Particles get into the small Ramifications of the Arteries, and
occasion Obstructions there; by this Means the natural Functions and
Secretions of the Humours, especially in the Glands, are disturbed,
and proceed slower; and accordingly for some Time before the Fit, we
find Complaints of Crudities in the Stomach, a swelling and Heaviness
of Body, and Weakness and Numbness of the Limbs, which increase daily
till the Fit is formed. At length the Blood, by continued Irritations,
being put into more violent Motions, drives these saline heterogeneous
viscid Particles through the obstructed Capillaries into the glandular
Vesicles, whence without doubt the Juices there secerned, especially
that of which we are speaking, _viz._ the Mucilage in the Glands in
and about the Joints, is not only plentifully stored with these acid
corrosive Salts, becomes more viscid and ropy, but also very corrosive
and poignant; and while it irritates and corrodes the adjoining
Membranes and Tendons, not only causes violent Pains, but also since by
the Contraction of the Nerves the Blood cannot move so freely through
the smallest Vessels, the Fibres are distended, and an inflammatory
Tumor frequently succeeds.