Principles of organic life : showing that the gases are of equal importances with the solids and fluids in the laws which regulate the progress of matter from the lowest inorganic to the highest organic conditions / [Benjamin Ridge].

  • Ridge, Benjamin
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Principles of organic life : showing that the gases are of equal importances with the solids and fluids in the laws which regulate the progress of matter from the lowest inorganic to the highest organic conditions / [Benjamin Ridge]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    150/534 (page 88)
    favourite parts are the throat and glands; the trachea, the upper part of the bronchial tubes, and the extreme ramifications of these. Nature always endeavours to rid herself of this by additional secretions, to assist exfoliation, thus bringing about a healthier deposit. Hence the quantity of mucus which we see occasionally thrown oft ; a disposition to be encouraged by stimu- lating ex])ectorants. Physiologists have considered these to be the last eft'orts of slight or chronic inflam- matory actions. They are no such thing. They are in themselves the most primary actions that can ensue. As they take place m the ducts and tubes of glands and of other organs, they may be always considered as super-vital or acid actions, requiring correction by alkalies. Hence the value of these remedies in all such cases, to be combined ^^dth fresh ingesta, which is always alkaline. An axiom w’hich I have long used most expressively, may be resolved into a philosophy, Avhich is ; N ever starve a congested mucous membrane. All common colds and first disturbances from excess of the inorganic elements, should be thus considered and treated. Unfortunately, however, attacks are made on the organic elements, and these are sought to be reduced, when they should be let alone to helj) recon- struction. The opposite to all these things occurs, when Nature herself, acting too powerfully on super-vital elements which oppress her, removes them too quickly. This causes a deficiency of them in the system, and wherever this happens, the parts are left bare of their ])rotecting coverings and common lubricators. When this takes place it is known as Inflammation. Inflammation can therefore only happen from the absence of inorganic elemeuts, Avliich are the natural