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It is here necessary to say a few words upon the misapplication of this order of remedies. Dr. Davy found by experiment that when an animal is bled to death, the last portions of blood that flow are of a much lower specific gravity than that which flows first, in consequence of the former containing more water, which it may be inferred was derived by the increased activity of the absorbents, exerted chiefly on mucous and serous membranes. Since then venesection promotes and accelerates absorption,^[236] it is clear that, in inflammatory diseases, where we have recourse to blood-letting, in order to diminish the volume of circulating fluids, we ought not to suffer the patient to indulge in an unrestrained use of liquids, which he eagerly demands to satisfy a thirst which, in all probability, is the natural consequence of increased absorption. In such cases, it is often better to take liquids in small divided doses, which will have the effect of moderating the thirst, without overloading the arterial system, and bringing on that tension and plenitude which are liable to be produced by swallowing too large a proportion of liquids.