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 Anæsthetics,
_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 Hæmatics, 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.