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and the evaporation which takes place in the open air of the hydrogen, or aqueous fluid with which it has been combined and diluted.

6. When, from any cause therefore, the bilious secretion has been increased beyond its natural proportion, approaching the surface of the body in the progress of the circulation, the carbonic matter of its composition becomes there attached to the viscid mucous in the cellular membrane of the skin, while the more thin and volatile hydrogen with which it is combined, having a stronger affinity and attraction with the oxygen of the atmosphere, and flying off first, leaves it precipitated and entangled in those cells where it stains and discolours the complexion.*

[[margin note]]renders it black. Even the diamond, by the force of intense heat, may be covered with a black crust.

* This is confirmed by an observation of Dr. Blumenbach in his treatise de gen. hum. degen. in specie, §44. p. 124, &c. The proximate cause, says he, of the dark colour in the external integuments of the skin is to be sought in the carbon which abounds in the human body, and abounds more in the oil and bile than in any other animal substances. The latter coming united with the hydrogen, with which it is intimately combined, to the surface of the body, the hydrogen there attaches itself more quickly to the oxygen of the atmosphere, on account of their superior mutual attraction, and, flying off first,[[/margin note]]

7. The bile itself is, perhaps, more liable than most other secretions in the human body, to become incrassated and mucous: at least it is always copiously found in the state in the stomach and intestines of those persons who have been long subject to bilious disorders.

8. The vapours arising from stagnant waters with which uncultivated regions abound, great fatigues and hardships, poverty of diet, filthiness in the manner of living, tend, likewise, to create a surcharge of the bilious secretion. Hence, as well as from their

the carbon is precipitated in the rete malphighianum, or second integument of the skin, and infects it with its dark colour in proportion to the quantity which various causes have thrown into the circulation, the chief of which is climate. Cuasam equidem proximam adusti, aut fusci coloris externorum cutis integumentorum, in abundante carbonaceo corporis humani elemento quærendam censeo, quod cum hydrogenio per corium excernitur, oxygenii vero atmospherici accessu præcipitatum, Malpihiano muco infigitur.

Ingens climatum in hepatis actionem potentia, utpote quæ intro tropicos cœli ardore mirum quantum excitatur et augetur. Hinc morbi biliosi intro troipcos multifarii et endemii.-Blum. degeneris hum. degen. in specie. §44. p. 125, 126.

In section 45th, p. 130th, he says; that the carbonic matter belongs to the primary elements of the animal system, and that it is the cause of a colour more or less dark has been rendered evident by the late improvements in chemistry, particularly, among the French.

Transcription Notes:
carbonaceo is italicized ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 13:54:44 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 15:53:58 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 16:19:18