CVK 
 
 Sol 
 
 Columbia <Hmtot#itp 
 
 inttjeCttpoOfrtttgork 
 
 THE LIBRARIES 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 Open Knowledge Commons 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/secretionsourceoOOsuck 
 
BiEaHBiEiraaDR 
 
 THE SOURCE OF 
 
 PLEASURABLE SENSATIONS : 
 
 SUBMITTED TO THE EXAMINATION OF THE PROFESSORS OF 
 
 THE COLLEGE 
 
 OF 
 
 PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, 
 
 ABD PUBLICLY DEFENDED BEFORE THEM, IN THE CITY OF 
 NEW-YORK, MARCH, 1823 ? 
 
 BY JOHN L. SUCKLEF, 
 
 A CANDIDATE FOR THE DEGREE OF M.D. 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. AND J. HARPER, 
 NO. 230 PEARL-STREET. 
 
 1823. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The appearance of novelty may at 
 once stamp this Essay as the senseless 
 effusion of a young theorist. But, 
 gentle reader, be not alarmed when 
 you are told, there is no novelty here; 
 every fact recorded is an old inhabit- 
 ant of this globe; every conjecture 
 has been suggested by wiser and older 
 heads than the author's, and every 
 deduction is no more than the natural 
 catenation resulting to every thinking 
 mind. The practical inference which 
 is desired to be inculcated is, that 
 health is the consequence of regularity 
 in the secretions. 
 
6 
 
 The opinion that the secretion of 
 saliva is the source of pleasure in 
 using masticatories, &e. has been long 
 publicly taught by Dr. Mitchill. To 
 him is the originality of the following 
 pages due rather than to the author; 
 and to him thanks are thus publicly 
 tendered, not only for the subject, but 
 for his urbanity in furnishing every 
 assistance required. 
 
 Now, gentle reader, with an affec- 
 tionate grip, we'll let the pass-word 
 be— VALE. 
 
When a person little accustomed to metaphysical specula- 
 tions is told, that, in case of volition, there are certain invisi- 
 ble fluids propagated from the mind to the organ which is 
 moved ; and that, in the case of perception, the existence 
 and qualities of the external object are made known by means 
 of species or phantasms, or images, which are present to the 
 mind in the sensorium ; he is apt to conclude, that the inter- 
 course between mind and matter is left more mysterious 
 than he had supposed ; and that, although these expressions 
 may not convey to him any very distinct meaning, their 
 Import is perfectly understood by philosophers. 
 
 Stewart's Elements, p. 87. 
 
SECRETION 
 
 THE SOURCE OF 
 
 PLEASURABLE SENSATIONS 
 
 Pleasure and pain are relative terms. 
 Circumstances, which in one instance afford 
 pleasure, would in another produce pain. 
 Thus the man who has ever been accustom- 
 ed to have his wants supplied, and with a 
 nod to command any new enjoyment or 
 gratification, would feel the severest torture 
 in being obliged to venture out on a stormy 
 day — a bad road, poor horses, and indifferent 
 entertainment on his way, would not fail to 
 render a journey, in his eyes, insupportably 
 tedious ; while the beggar enjoys, not only 
 a degree of satisfaction, but even of pleasure, 
 in being well clad in rags. Let the tempest 
 howl as it will, a ride on an ox-cart would 
 
10 
 
 be to him a source of gratification- — and 
 happy would he be, if the publican would 
 permit him to rest his wearied limbs in the 
 kitchen corner — and grateful indeed if his 
 allowance might be but the offals of the rich 
 man's table. We may then define pleasure 
 and pain, if taken together, thus — The one 
 is the absence of the other- — Hence the con- 
 tented state of existence, which is the lot of 
 most men, depends on a peculiar neutrali- 
 zing combination of these two ingredients.. 
 The assertion will not be found contradictory 
 to reason or to fact, that pleasure relieves? 
 banishes, or destroys pain. Assuming this 
 position as datum, we proceed to examine 
 the merits of the hypothesis, that " Secretion 
 is the source of pleasure." 
 
 If we refer to fact, as it stands recorded in 
 the chronicles of ages, or as it appears to us 
 in every day's observation, we must be sa- 
 tisfied that a stimulus applied to any living 
 animal, produces pain. The goad renders 
 the ox uneasy, and in order to change his 
 
II 
 
 situation, he hurries onward ; thereby gra- 
 tifying the desire of his master in making 
 more despatch. We cannot at once see any 
 connexion between the ox-goad and a sti- 
 mulus, unless we recollect, that the term is 
 derived from this very circumstance. It 
 may be considered as the cause, producing 
 that excitement, which is the effect of dead 
 acting on living matter. Thus a stimulus to 
 the body is supposed to accelerate the mo- 
 tion of the fluids, by producing an irritation, 
 which by sympathy, or some nameless means, 
 is communicated to the vessels containing 
 them. Hence arise all the phenomena of a 
 rapid circulation. We can conclude with 
 the utmost propriety that a stimulus is pain- 
 ful ; else why does the child cry when a pin 
 or the nails of its cross nurse are goading its 
 young and tender flesh ? — why dreads the 
 schoolboy his master's ire ? — why screams 
 he when the lash is used ? — why is not a 
 bed of thorns as comfortable as the downy 
 cushion of rovaltv ? 
 
12 
 
 Stimuli may be applied in various ways, 
 in each producing pain, and in each relieved 
 by secretion. Extraneous substances in the 
 skin induce tumour, redness, and all the phe- 
 nomena of inflammation, and, in a particular 
 manner, pain. We will not at present enter 
 into a disquisition, whether pain is the cause 
 or the effect of inflammation — if decided 
 in either way, it will not militate against the 
 assertion, that secretion relieves pain; for 
 facts will prove beyond dispute, that when 
 pus is formed, every painful feeling is re- 
 moved. This is evident, not only in phyma, 
 but in every species of inflammation. A 
 case, which on first view would seem to be 
 an exception, is the existence of a collection 
 of purulent matter under strong aponeuroses, 
 or under the theca of tendons ; but the least 
 enlightened will be satisfied, that in this case 
 the pus can act in no other manner than as 
 an extraneous substance, becoming in itself 
 a stimulus ; because at the commencement 
 of its secretion no pain was perceived. Onlv 
 
13 
 
 when the matter secreted has accumulated 
 so as to distend the firm covering, are we 
 sensible of any disagreeable feeling. 
 
 Not only do stimuli, applied to the skin, 
 induce secretion, but, when applied to any 
 other parts, they are succeeded by similar 
 consequences. Particles of dust or sand, 
 when in contact with the adnata of the eye, 
 cause an immediate increased flow of tears, 
 which at once relieves, by counteracting the 
 pain, and discharging the offending material. 
 The irritations produced by savin, hellebore, 
 and tobacco, on theschneiderean membrane, 
 are followed by the same happy effects of an 
 increased secretion. We may add that all 
 the mucous and serous tissues of the body ; 
 as the internal coat of the intestines, the 
 lining membrane of the urethra, bladder, 
 ureters, and biliary ducts, with the dura mater, 
 peritoneum, and pleura, are all excited to the 
 deposition of an augmented quantity of their 
 peculiar fluids, on the application of any ex- 
 citement. This accumulated fluid is not 
 
14 
 
 merely to act as a diluent or detergent, as in 
 the familiar instances of the eye and the nose, 
 where the acrid and offending ingredient is 
 dissolved or washed away by a rush of 
 waters which itself had formed ; but the 
 very formation has a particular influence : 
 or why should pain be often relieved by a 
 secretion taking place at a distance from the 
 part afflicted ? Why, in nausea, should the 
 saliva be produced in an unnaturally large 
 quantity ? Why is the perspiration increa- 
 sed ? Why is nausea produced on the pas- 
 sage of a calculus through the ducts of the 
 liver or kidney r Surely not to vomit off the 
 cause of agony ! Why does a strangulated 
 hernia nauseate the stomach of the sufferer ? 
 It may be answered ; to excite secretions, 
 and thus to give ease by counteracting the 
 violence of pain ; to change the contortions 
 of anguish into the placid smiles of joy. Had 
 we need of stronger confirmation of our 
 opinion, to nature we might exultingly refer. 
 We could find, in her museum of recorded 
 
15 
 
 events and transpiring actions, the tears of 
 the aged, as well as those of the infant, re- 
 lieving distress of mind without removing 
 the cause. Great indeed is that grief, which 
 cannot be relieved by lachrymal secretion. 
 Well and truly has it been said that " 'tis the 
 tearless grief that cuts the heart-strings." — 
 Poverty may still depress, unkind friends 
 may still harass, and ingratitude and ma- 
 levolence may use all their weapons of 
 hostility ; yet the tear drowns every sorrow, 
 and brightens every gloomy prospect. 
 
 Let it not be, for one moment, suspected 
 that we are blind to every other use of se- 
 cretion — or that we imagine that the glan- 
 dular apparatus was only formed for the 
 production of pleasurable sensations — such 
 an inference is far from our thoughts. The 
 uses are various, important, and even ne- 
 cessary. 
 
 In the stomach a fluid is formed, possess- 
 ing the most remarkable properties. With 
 qualities, neither of an acid nor alkaline na- 
 
16 
 
 ture, it neutralizes both — checks fermenta- 
 tion at once, and, above all, produces the 
 first change which dead matter undergoes to 
 become living. By it the food is converted 
 into chyme, from which, by the intervention 
 of another secretion, chyle is separated, 
 which, by absorption, enters into the circu- 
 lation and becomes living blood. This fluid 
 is called gastric juice. It does not act on 
 living matter, thus intimating, it would seem, 
 that to such its vivifying influence is unne- 
 cessary. Worms have lived uninjured for 
 months in the stomach, and the parietes of 
 that viscus are never affected during life, 
 though they may be corroded after death 
 has palsied every vital principle, save that 
 which this miraculous juice is enabled to 
 exert. 
 
 We have already mentioned the detergent 
 effects of secretions, as in the eye and nose ; 
 we may also add the mucous discharge from 
 the intestines, carrying off the offending 
 materials. Where the irritant is so fixed as 
 
17 
 
 aot easily to be removed, the quantity of 
 this mucus is greatly increased ; and in 
 many instances, where there is a morbid 
 cause acting, it is only effectual as it re- 
 lieves the distress by secretion. 
 
 They, in many instances, form the most 
 perfect anti-attritions ; as where parts rub 
 upon one another, and especially on the 
 cartilages covering the articulating surfaces 
 of bones. 
 
 Some are demulcent, as the cerumen of 
 the meatus auditorius externus : others are 
 excrementitious, whose principal use is to 
 purify the system, as of carbon from the 
 lungs — of carbon and saline materials from 
 the skin — and of saline materials from the 
 kidney. The carbon is conveyed from the 
 lungs — where as an impurity it is collected 
 — by combining with oxygen and caloric, 
 thereby forming carbonic acid gas. This 
 gas, having antiseptic properties, may 
 prevent the action of contagion ; hence the 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 plausibility of the opinion that contagion 
 affects the stomach rather than the lungs. 
 
 Fat is another secretion, the use of which 
 is not exactly known ; but supposed to be 
 to give rotundity of form to the animal 
 machine. Not only fat, but every part of 
 the body, is secreted ; as bone, cartilage, 
 tendon, ligament, and muscle. By this ac- 
 tion growth is accomplished, and waste 
 is continually repaired. Some secretions 
 are exclusively for nourishment, as Lacta- 
 tion. Other uses it is needless here to 
 recapitulate — that for the purpose of ge- 
 neration, cannot however be left in perfect 
 silence, inasmuch as it establishes in a 
 peculiar manner the Quod erat Demon- 
 strandum. 
 
 In reviewing the various uses of secre- 
 tion, we meet with none whose only and 
 particular use is gratification; except in- 
 deed it is that of fat, as they who give 
 themselves up to ease and enjoyment, are 
 
19 
 
 most apt to be encumbered with this ma- 
 terial. And the adage, " Laugh and grow 
 fat," would seem to stamp the idea with 
 the gravity of antiquity. This phrase is 
 not to be slighted, because it is in vulgar 
 mouths. It evinces much just observation. 
 Look where we will, we must observe 
 that the fat man always possesses an un- 
 common share of good nature. His coun- 
 tenance is always placid, his mind always 
 easy. Yet the correctness of our views on 
 this subject, does not rest on the establish- 
 ment of the existence of a gland, the sole 
 intention of which is giving pleasure. It 
 comports with the genius of man, and 
 probably (with reverence be the assertion 
 made,) with the intention of man's Creator, 
 that pleasure should be derived from nothing 
 but that which holds up a prospect of 
 usefulness. The debauchee would soon 
 forsake his favourite riots, did not an 
 inebriated fancy picture to his mind some 
 future benefit as resulting from his conduct. 
 
20 
 
 Our task would be finished, if, by unra- 
 velling the organs of secretion, we could 
 detect the design of the great Architect, 
 Though glands have been injected, I had 
 almost said, ad infinitum; yet the veil, 
 which is partly withdrawn from the ma- 
 chinery, covers its actions and sets scrutiny 
 at defiance. Many theories have been 
 formed, and on this subject theories may, 
 for want of facts, be allowed. They may 
 allure their framers to give that attention to 
 the operations of nature, which may bring 
 to light facts in elucidation of the whole 
 subject. What species of knowledge — 
 what improvements in the Arts and Scien- 
 ces, may we not hope for? By proper 
 research the mysteries of generation may 
 yet be unfolded ; but before mankind can 
 expect a developement of this abstruse 
 subject, many less important processes are 
 to be investigated. Facts may at this day 
 be on record, which only require the genius 
 of a Hervey to arrange them in that mode. 
 
21 
 
 and with that lucidus ordo, which will dissi- 
 pate the clouds of conjecture, and make 
 manifest the true operations of the glands. 
 Yet it is highly probable, that this subject 
 may be kept concealed, as a stumbling- 
 block to materialists, compelling even them 
 to bow in reverence to the Great First 
 Cause. In investigating this subject, how- 
 ever, we should pay attention to the opera- 
 tions of some gland, v\ hose steps are most 
 distinct, and not so hurried into one another 
 as not to be distinguished. As we have 
 the authority of a Darwin for considering 
 the whole alimentary canal as a gland, we 
 may select this as our model. Here we 
 behold the food, whether animal, vegetable, 
 or a mixture of both, deposited in the 
 stomach, acted upon by the magnetic,* 
 
 * These various epithets are used to show how very little 
 we know about the kind of influence exerted. Between mag- 
 netism, galvanism, sympathy, and life, there is a wide differ- 
 ence; yet they all belong to one certain class of actions. — 
 When better understood, they may clear up many mysteries, 
 and enlighten many subjects 
 
22 
 
 galvanic, sympathetic, or vivifying influence 
 of the gastric juice, and becoming one ho- 
 mogeneous mass — this proceeding into the 
 intestines meets with the bile, which, 
 combining with the feculent portion, is 
 discharged per anum; while the chyle is 
 left to be absorbed, and become part of the 
 living system. Here we observe effects 
 analogous to, yet the reverse of, those which 
 are produced by glands in general. Here 
 every variety of food is changed into one 
 substance — chyme; in glands one sub- 
 stance — blood — is changed into every va- 
 riety of material, from the ivory tusk of 
 the elephant, to the impalpable odour issu- 
 ing from the musk of the Asiatic deer. 
 Taking the alimentary canal as an inverted 
 gland, it may prove to us the thread of 
 Ariadne, and lead us through the dark 
 windings of this otherwise inextricable 
 labyrinth. 
 
 Physiologists have, on this subject, as on 
 every other, formed various hypotheses 
 
23 
 
 concerning this process, some have ima- 
 gined that glands possess a peculiar power 
 of selecting and separating from the blood 
 materials necessary to form their particular 
 secretions. This faculty has, by the 
 celebrated Darwin, been dignified with 
 the title of glandular appetency — -supposing 
 them to have life, desires, and appetites 
 peculiar to themselves, and being in fact 
 little animals distributed about the body. 
 Others, as Van Helmont, and Vieussens, 
 thought that fermentation would account 
 for all the phenomena. Descartes, Borrelli, 
 and Charleton, supposed the glands to be 
 nothing more than strainers, permitting 
 only the finer parts of the blood to pass 
 as secretions, while the grosser were re- 
 tained in the circulation. This being the 
 case, we might in vain look for secretions 
 coarser than the blood, though all the solids 
 should be immediately at hand. There 
 are others again, who, observing that 
 oiled paper only transmits oil — and paper 
 
24 
 
 moistened with water or any other liquid, 
 only suffers that liquid to pass through, by 
 which it had been moistened, think the 
 secretions are generated by a similar eco- 
 nomy. The absurdity of this is at once 
 manifest. It has also been supposed, that 
 the velocity of the blood is much greater 
 through glands, and that thus secretion is 
 produced ; this may, in a degree, be true ; 
 as the quality of the blood is evidently 
 changed, under the excitement of fever. 
 The length and curves of the vessels in 
 glands, have been supposed to have a 
 particular effect essential to secretion ; but 
 a straight vessel, one line in length, can 
 work as effectual change on the fluid pass- 
 ing through, as can be done by the most 
 convoluted and longest vessels. Witness 
 the pure water absorbed by plants from 
 the earth — before it has proceeded one 
 line in the vessels of the vegetable, it be- 
 comes sap of a peculiar kind — We must 
 refer, not to a contorted arrangement of 
 
25 
 
 vessels, but to a peculiar action, for an 
 explanation of this subject. Whether this 
 peculiar action can be separated from life, 
 we will not pretend to say ; but it is more 
 probable, it is the exertion of life alone, 
 which effects such mighty changes. That 
 same cause which converts the ovum into 
 a foetus, the chyle into blood, also produces 
 a conversion in the blood, making it ma- 
 terially differ in all its properties. Here 
 language limits the expansion of our ideas ; 
 for want of a term to express this peculiar 
 action, we must confine our inquiries to 
 this boundary. The most plausible ex- 
 pression that has been adopted, is sym- 
 pathy ; but this is too vague, and too 
 general to be retained in the language of 
 the experimental inquirer — it may "be- 
 cloud his soul, and prevent her from piercing 
 into nature's arcana." 
 
 Glands have received different names 
 from various circumstances. But, as might 
 be expected, we look in vain to this no- 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 menclature for an explanation of their 
 modus operandi. We hear of the conglo- 
 bate or lymphatic — the conglomerate or 
 a collection of a number of small glands 
 in a common envelope. Late writers have 
 called such as consist of a number of sacs, 
 or of vessels convoluted in the form of sacs, 
 Acinous — the parotid, and other salivary 
 glands, and the pancreas, are of this class. 
 The structure of the liver is called penicil- 
 lous — where the vessels converge together 
 like a pencil of light. Cryptse, Follicles, 
 and Lacunae, bedew every surface with 
 a secretion. From these we can obtain 
 no elucidation of our subject ; but some 
 future generation may hail the time when 
 names shall be given, not merely to dis- 
 tinguish one from another ; but to denote 
 the gland, from the quality of its action. 
 Some Lavoisier may yet arise, to render 
 the paths of adenology as bright as those 
 of chvmistrv. 
 
27 
 
 From the imperfect knowledge our 
 best physiologists have of secretion, we 
 might in vain seek among their works for 
 any thing conclusive on the subject under 
 present consideration. Far be it from us 
 to attempt establishing any theory on 
 glandular action. " Be ours an humbler 
 task," — to cull from nature's garden a 
 few flowers of truth, to decorate the asser- 
 tion, that pleasure is one of the effects of 
 secretion. 
 
 Let us inquire what inferences may be 
 drawn from manners and customs. If 
 we investigate the habits of mankind, we 
 must remark, that all the gratifications to 
 which he, in every state of society, accus- 
 toms himself, are such as cause increased 
 secretion. This can be illustrated by nu- 
 merous examples. The every-day practice 
 of chewing tobacco need only be men- 
 tioned, and our thoughts recur to the 
 immense quantity of saliva induced by 
 the quid. Perhaps it would be within 
 
28 
 
 bounds to say, that eight ounces of super 
 fluous spittle is secreted, per diem, by every 
 tobacco-chewer. Some, rather giving 
 credit to the narcotic effects on the 
 nervous system, may indeed object to the 
 secretion being referred to as a cause of 
 the enjoyment. That there is a consi- 
 derable narcotic effect produced, none 
 will attempt to deny ; but, as this habit 
 becomes more confirmed, the narcotic 
 power must lessen ; yet the desire and 
 the enjoyment are greatly enhanced ; 
 because the glands are equally affected 
 by the stimulus, after repeated applica- 
 tions, as at first. And let it be remem- 
 bered, that in some countries, masticatories 
 are used, which produce no narcotic 
 effect. This is the case in the Eastern 
 world, and particularly in China — here 
 chinam, or quick-lime, is in general use 
 to promote the salival secretion, and happy 
 does the man think himself, who can pro- 
 cure a sufficiency of this article, though 
 
29 
 
 its use is attended with the total destruc- 
 tion of all the parts of his teeth, which 
 project beyond their sockets. Quick-lime 
 is also in general use among the inha- 
 bitants of Quito and Popayan, as we 
 are informed by Messrs. Humboldt and 
 Bonpland — " Quick-lime is sold in the 
 public markets for chewing, as an article 
 of the first necessity." In the South Sea 
 Islands, it is used with the Piper Siriboa, 
 and in South Auierica, it is combined with 
 the Erythroxylum Perunanum. We can- 
 not pass over in silence the universal prac- 
 tice, in Eastern climes, of chewing the 
 betel. A description of this psyalagogue 
 preparation, is recorded by Dr. Mitchill 
 and Dr. Miller, in one of their numbers 
 of the Medical Repository for the year 
 1806. The account, which is extracted 
 from a paper of M. Peron on the subject, 
 we here transcribe. After a few pertinent 
 remarks on the diseases of the climate, it 
 thus proceeds — " What the tepid bath. 
 
30 
 
 strong tea, ambergris, cardamoms, and 
 other aromatic seeds, cloves, ginger, and 
 other warm and stimulating spices, have 
 been unable to accomplish, has, as M. 
 Peron observes, been happily effected by 
 a composition of four ingredients, called 
 from the name of one of them, Betel. This, 
 when chewed and swallowed, restores to 
 the mouth, stomach, and intestines, and to 
 the great glands connected with them, a due 
 degree of vigour and secretory power. 
 
 " Betel is usually composed of the areck 
 nut, (areca catechu) two parts, of quick- 
 lime one part, of the burning leaf of 
 a species of pepper (piper betel) and of 
 the leaves of tobacco one part. These 
 are well mixed together, to form a masti- 
 catory, or quid for the mouth : and the 
 experience of its utility is so well esta- 
 blished, that the natives have introduced 
 it into general use in all hot climates, 
 from the Moluccas to the Yellow River; 
 
31 
 
 and from the Ganges and Indus to the 
 shores of the Black Sea. It is not, however, 
 equally prevalent in all these countries ; 
 for at Constantinople, for example, betel 
 is more an article of luxury among the rich, 
 than a national custom." 
 
 Let us return to our own country, and 
 we shall find the antiquated matron, as 
 comfortable over a few embers, seated on 
 a tripod of poverty, if she only have her 
 pinch of snuff, as she would be, without 
 this sternutatory dose, seated in the chair 
 of state — a compeer with empresses. 
 Though Boreas howls without, and her 
 raiment is tattered and rusty with age; 
 yet, by applying to her nostrils pulverized 
 tobacco, which induces secretion, she is 
 happy, and enjoys all the corner mem 
 appertaining to her lot. And the poor 
 old bachelor drowns the sorrows of an 
 unfortunate love-scrape, and whiffs off the 
 painful traces of a rejected suit, in a 
 whirligig of tobacco smoke. And, if asked 
 
32 
 
 the best method of rendering the thorny 
 paths of life smooth and easy, he replies — 
 
 " There certainly are powers of doing this, 
 
 In some degree at least, — for instance, drinking 
 
 Champaign will bathe the heart awhile in bliss, 
 And keep the head a little time from thinking 
 
 Of cares or creditors — the best wine in town 
 
 Tou'll get from Lynch — the cash must be paid down. 
 
 But if you are a Bachelor, like me, 
 
 And spurn all chains, even though made of roses, 
 I'd recommend segars — there is a free 
 
 And happy spirit, that unseen reposes 
 On the dim shadowy clouds that hover o'er you, 
 When smoking quietly, with a warm fire before you." 
 
 Croaker. 
 
 Our bachelor is more in character, as a 
 rejected lover and poet, than as a phi- 
 losopher; or he would not ascribe the 
 pleasant effects of smoking to merely 
 watching the " clouds that hover o'er" 
 him. The pleasure must arise from the 
 increased quantity of saliva — or how can 
 this practice be enjoyed in the dark. And 
 to the advocates of the narcotic power, 
 it might be answered that there is 
 greater gratification in puffing the mild 
 
S3 
 
 and fragrant Spanish segar, than the 
 narcotic and strong-scented American. 
 
 Drinking spirituous and vinous liquors, 
 doubtless adds to enjoyment by the in- 
 crease of secretions in the alimentary 
 canal; but we are willing to acknowledge, 
 that it derives great share of pleasure, 
 from the benumbing influence exerted 
 over the nervous system. 
 
 The gratification of a banquet is, in 
 a great measure, attributable to the in- 
 creased secretions induced by the con- 
 diments of the table. Hence the most 
 savoury and stimulating articles have 
 become the most palatable. Will any 
 one pretend to assert, that peppers, mus- 
 tard, and pickles, are relished on account 
 of their flavour ? As well might he affirm, 
 that assafcetida, that devil's dung, pleases 
 the taste by its flavour. We know that in 
 some countries, this offensive gum is 
 used as a choice condiment; and its 
 agreeableness can only be accounted for 
 
St 
 
 by reference to the principle which we are 
 endeavouring to establish. 
 
 Amusements of all sorts, as riding on 
 horseback, hunting, fowling, and all the 
 gymnastic exercises, are resorted to by 
 mankind, to whom they are beneficial, 
 inasmuch as they have a stimulating 
 action on the glandular apparatus. 
 
 This doctrine is built upon a rocky foun- 
 dation, in the very bosom of nature. 
 Proofs of its truth, are developed not only 
 in the inclinations of the votary of pleasure ; 
 but in the actions of the man of business^ 
 in every incident of life. Affection, we 
 might say, even affection, is engendered and 
 regulated, in a great degree, by secretion. 
 Lest our position should seem too much 
 in advance, we refer again to phenomena 
 — they will prove we merit every inch 
 of ground which we have assumed. 
 
 Let us first examine the human family. 
 It is an old report, and one accepted by 
 all ages, that parental is greater than 
 
SB 
 
 filial affection — may we not deduce rea- 
 sons for this, from our view of secretions? 
 Man is a selfish animal, only pleased with 
 what directly or indirectly conduces to 
 his gratification, and inimical to every 
 thing that detracts from his own enjoy- 
 ment. Histories of individuals and 
 nations establish this fact. Custom, or 
 rather fashion, making all mankind bow 
 to its dominion, bids man love his offspring. 
 In obedience to this mandate, his affection, 
 becoming a habit, continues throughout 
 life. It may be denied that custom pro- 
 duces affection between the parent and 
 child. Perhaps not in every instance, 
 but then we must refer to a more selfish 
 principle, a desire of self-aggrandizement 
 in one's posterity. Every father doubtless 
 anticipates the continuance, if not the 
 immortality of his name, by means of his 
 offspring. Napoleon's father, no doubt, 
 would have smiled (had he been alive) 
 to hear of the victories of his son. And 
 
36 
 
 the throb of anguish, which might ration- 
 ally be supposed to cause the old man's 
 breast to heave, on hearing of the exile's 
 death, would soon subside, on reflecting 
 that the name of Bonaparte would be 
 familiar to the latest ages. But to draw 
 arguments m support of our cause from 
 the human species, it would be necessary 
 that the father should view his offspring 
 with indifference; but this is prevented 
 by other and stronger motives than the 
 mere bent of inclination. Man being then 
 so much under the control of fashion, 
 habit, and self-love, we can draw no con- 
 clusive arguments from this noble animal 
 — except we infer that the mother, always 
 evincing a greater degree of affection for 
 her offspring than the father, evidences a 
 grateful remembrance of the pleasure af- 
 forded in the secretion of milk. 
 
 If we descend to the lower orders of 
 animals, ranging the fields with natural 
 liberty, unrestrained either by fashion or 
 
37 
 
 by folly, and not obliged to conform to 
 this or that rule, because it may happen 
 to be established by custom, we shall be 
 enabled to draw an unbiassed conclusion. 
 Our proposition, that affection is qualified 
 by the pleasure imparted by secretion, will 
 receive confirmation from this source. 
 
 In every species of the brute creation, the 
 male progenitor is as heedless of his off- 
 spring, as if it possessed no ties of consan- 
 guinity. Not only does he treat his 
 young with the most contemptuous 
 neglect; but in many instances he proves 
 its deadliest foe. The male of some has 
 been known to devour a whole brood 
 of little ones — showing most wonderful 
 affection, in snatching the innocents from 
 a world of misery ! And the female of 
 all brute animals, extends her affection 
 no fan her than the term of her lactation — 
 no sooner does the udder cease to secrete, 
 than the satiated mother becomes the 
 bitterest enemy to those she loved, sup- 
 
ported, and protected, while they excited 
 in her a secretion. Oviparous animals 
 seem not to be comprehended in this rule. 
 From the eagle to the humming-bird, they 
 labour to support their helpless young ; 
 thus exhibiting examples of gratitude 
 for past favours. Though the secretion 
 which gave life, is now only existent in 
 their memory, the grateful remembrance 
 still lingers to bring forth all the kind offi- 
 ces of friendship and affection. From 
 these well may we obtain beautiful 
 emblems of conjugal and parental affec- 
 tion. While we direct the husband to 
 see how cheerfully the dove participates 
 in all the domestic toils of its mate ; we 
 may attract the attention of the child, 
 to behold the youthful stork, proud to 
 bear its aged parent from place to place. 
 
 But if it be denied that secretions 
 relieve the pain induced by stimuli, be- 
 cause gratification is the intention of no 
 particular one ; or if it be affirmed, that 
 
39 
 
 tobacco and betel chewing is not resorted 
 to for the sake of exciting glandular ac- 
 tion ; or if it be averred that affection 
 is not at all enhanced by secretion ; yet 
 it must be allowed, that suppressed secre- 
 tion causes pain. A sudden exposure 
 to a great change of temperature, has 
 ever been considered one of the most 
 prolific causes of disease. If we examine 
 the effect of this change on the constitution, 
 we must, without hesitation, conclude it 
 to be injurious, only inasmuch as it 
 checks perspiration— the immediate con- 
 sequence of which is, an unaccountable 
 uneasiness, that impairs every action, and 
 renders every exertion disagreeable. If 
 relief be not obtained, a general fever, or 
 disease of the whole system, is sure to 
 follow ; or the blood-vessels, in vain seek- 
 ing to relieve themselves by their natural 
 outlets, the pores of the skin, hurry their 
 contents to some particular part, and pro- 
 duce topical inflammation. Every physi- 
 
40 
 
 cian is aware how frequently inflammation 
 of the peritoneum, intestines, uterus, or 
 some other internal viscus supervenes, 
 on the suppression of the perspirable 
 matter. Must we refer this to the selfish- 
 ness of every particle of living matter, 
 seeking opportunity of easing the burthen 
 from its own shoulders by oppressing its 
 harmless neighbour ? Throughout all living 
 matter we certainly see this disposition 
 predominant. The beggar, as well as the 
 conqueror, demonstrates this truth — though 
 in the one, his sphere of action being con- 
 tracted, it is not as observable as in the 
 other. As it is one of the characteristics 
 of selfishness to destroy gratification in 
 others, when one's own has been in- 
 fringed, shall we suppose that the enraged 
 blood, deprived of its usual gratification 
 of taking an airing through the glands 
 of the skin — flies directly to vent its rage 
 on some internal glandular organ ? Or 
 may we not rather suppose that, all in 
 
good* nature, it may hope to produce the 
 pleasant effects of copious secretion by 
 visiting other glands. Its intentions may 
 be good ; but its deeds have the most perni- 
 cious tendency. Thus when the liver re- 
 ceives this ungracious visit, instead of an 
 increased quantity of bile being produced, 
 in most instances, inflammation is the con- 
 sequence ; or if the kidneys are so unfor- 
 tunate as to be visited, instead of an 
 increased flow of urine, we have nephritis 
 with all its painful symptoms. Not only 
 does checked perspiration occasion the 
 most distressing feelings ; but the suppres- 
 sion of any accustomed discharge will 
 more or less derange every pleasurable 
 sensation. If the mucus of the intestines 
 or the bile be withheld, not only is an 
 indomitable constipation the result, but 
 frequently the whole habit is so vitiated 
 that every thought of pleasure is so 
 tinctured with pain, as to afford no delight. 
 While a suppressed secretion of urine or 
 6 
 
42 
 
 saliva is often followed by apoplexy, do 
 we offer any violence to truth in affirming 
 that health depends, in a very great degree, 
 on the due continuance of all ordinary 
 secretions? 
 
 Here we might venture the opinion, that a 
 checked secretion of pus causes hectic fever. 
 Though it might offend the creed of those 
 who have sworn allegiance to the theory, 
 that this fever is occasioned by an absorp- 
 tion of matter, we, being yoked to no hypo- 
 thesis, 
 
 Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri, 
 
 are at liberty to give that the prefer- 
 ence which phenomena and facts seem 
 most to authorize. How analogous is the 
 incipient stage of forming pus to the pre- 
 monitory symptoms of a hectic paroxysm ! 
 In each there is a chill, which is neither 
 owing to the disposition to form pus in the 
 one case, nor to the accession of fever in 
 the other. In one instance the morbid cause, 
 operating on the nervous system, is removed 
 
43 
 
 by the formation of pus ; in the other, this 
 secretion not existing, or not being sufficient 
 to bring the relief required, the morbid cause 
 increases in energy, or rather continues to 
 disease the nervous energy of the system, 
 till the flushed cheek and emaciated form 
 whisper in our ear 
 
 Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, 
 Regumque turres. 
 
 In this case the secretion of pus may be in- 
 sufficient in two ways. Istly, in comparison 
 with the strength of the morbid cause — 
 2dly, in being checked. This last is the most 
 common ; it is very liable to happen on the 
 admission of the external air by an opening 
 made into an abscess. The operations of 
 the secreting surface, which may be termed 
 a temporary gland, are thus completely de- 
 ranged. This we must conclude to be a 
 fact, if any analogical conclusion can be 
 drawn from the effect we see produced on 
 the absorbents ; for it is evident that their 
 action is checked, if not entirely suppressed : 
 
44 
 
 as is evinced by the quantity discharged. 
 Before the opening, nearly an equilibrium 
 was maintained between the absorbents and 
 exhalents ; for no one will pretend to say, 
 that none was absorbed before the admission 
 of atmospheric air. The farther prosecu- 
 tion of this subject, however, would be fo- 
 reign to the immediate object of this paper. 
 How has man become the slave of habit, 
 but by the influence which habits have 
 on the regularity of secretion ? Man is 
 indeed a bundle of habits ; and, if deprived 
 of a diversion he had taken at a parti- 
 cular time, he becomes not only chagrined 
 by disappointment, but absolutely unwell. 
 The tobacco chewer, if not able to obtain 
 his quid at the accustomed time, becomes 
 liable to the vertiginous affections of disease ; 
 and, in time, if his desires be not gratified, 
 becomes almost delirious. The betel- 
 chewer and the snuff-taker, the drunkard 
 and the glutton, the man of pleasure and 
 the anchorite — all become, in like manner. 
 
45 
 
 affected, if deprived of their ordinary sti- 
 mulus, at the usual time of its application. 
 They all feel a " pain of want ;" a pain 
 arising not exactly from suppressed ; but 
 from an unexcited secretion. The dis- 
 agreeable sensations of hunger and 
 thirst may be explained on this principle. 
 The following fact will go far to prove this 
 assertion. If a man, habituated to take 
 his dinner at a certain hour, be so placed 
 by circumstances, as, at the given hour, 
 to be totally unable to obtain this meal — 
 he will feel uncomfortable, or, in other 
 words, hungry : now, if he but swallow a 
 small piece of biscuit or dry bread, he will 
 be relieved from these feelings for several 
 hours. In this instance the glandular ar- 
 rangement of the gastric arteries being 
 excited into a secretory action, relief is 
 immediately afforded. The opinion that 
 the peculiar sensations of hunger and thirst 
 arise from a tension of the ligaments of 
 the liver, hardly deserves notice — and that 
 
46 
 
 hypothesis, which referred these sensations 
 to an accumulation of the gastric liquor, is 
 satisfactorily confuted by the observation, 
 that "the pain of want is greater in acqui- 
 red than natural habits." {Karnes.) Is it 
 an increased flow of saliva that makes the 
 smoker long for his segar ? and who will 
 not admit the analogy between his longings 
 and the restless feelings of a hungry man ? 
 The daily asseverations of those accustom- 
 ed to any acquired habit, are sufficient to 
 establish the truth of the assertion, that 
 the pain of want is greater in acquired, 
 than in natural and necessary habits. How 
 often do we hear them declare they would 
 rather be deprived of a meal's victuals, 
 than forego the gratification afforded by 
 indulgence in that habit ! 
 
 Thus far we have endeavoured to esta- 
 blish the doctrine, of secretions being the 
 source of pleasurable sensations, by dedu- 
 cing our arguments, not from theoretical 
 speculations, but from plain facts, as we 
 
47 
 
 see them in every day's occurrences, or as 
 we meet with them in the more obvious 
 operations of nature. We have found that 
 where man chooses the means of his own 
 gratification, he is sure to select such as have 
 a tendency to excite secretion — that by 
 this function Nature relieves distress, wards 
 off maladies, and rescues from the iron grasp 
 of disease the devoted sufferer — and that 
 finally it is in the form of secretion that 
 she proffers to man his most ecstatic en- 
 joyment. 
 
 Did inclination dictate, as is the case 
 with those theorists, who have not facts to 
 justify their assertions, we might now give 
 our minds a little recreation in the field of 
 fancy. We might imagine that every sense 
 is gratified by the excitement of a peculiar 
 secretion. Thus the rose's fragrance — 
 seraphic strains of music — delicious fruits — 
 and the most enchanting landscape, would 
 only charm, in proportion as they produ- 
 ced this excitement in the organs of smell. 
 
48 
 
 hearing, taste, or vision. Conjecture might 
 even remind us of the aqueducts of Cotun- 
 nius; and intimate that, through these 
 channels, passed the fluid generated by har- 
 monious airs. But these notions are too 
 chimerical — they possess too flimsy a foun- 
 dation to be enlisted in support of reality. 
 
 Since facts warrant us in ascribing plea- 
 sure to secretion, we may inveigh most 
 bitterly against those cynic philosophers, 
 who are eternally crying that " man was 
 made to mourn" — we may, on the con- 
 trary, assert, that every particle of life, 
 whether it exist in vegetable or animal 
 matter, is given for enjoyment. Where 
 shall we find a plant, from the cedar to the 
 hyssop — where shall we find an animal, 
 from the extinct mammoth to the zoophyte, 
 which does not possess a secretory function. 
 The vegetable kingdom abounds with 
 every variety of secretion— from the orange 
 we may obtain the most delicate liqueur. 
 and on the bark of the reed we observe a 
 
4y 
 
 siliceous deposit. " How great is the con- 
 trast between this production," says Smith, 
 speaking of the flinty coat of grasses, " if 
 it be a secretion of the tender vegetable 
 frame, and those exhalations which consti- 
 tute the perfume of flowers ! one is among 
 the most permanent substances in nature, 
 an ingredient in the primeval mountains 
 of the globe ; the other, the invisible, intan- 
 gible breath of a moment." 
 
 When we thus behold every thing, that 
 possesses in the slightest degree a living 
 principle, endowed with means of enjoy- 
 ment; let us not withhold our tribute 
 of praise and adoration from that Being, 
 who is the Maker, Supporter, and Go- 
 vernor of all. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
JUL 21M2