Erasmus Darwin

“ An unusual defect of stimulus, as of food without spice or wine in the stomachs of those, who have been much accustomed to spice or wine, will induce sickness or vomiting; in this case the defective energy of the stomach is owing to defect of accustomed stimulus; while the action of vomiting from digitalis is owing to a deficiency of sensorial power, which is previously exhausted by the excess of its stimulus. ”

“ Alcohol, and opium, if taken so as to induce slight intoxication, and the body be kept cool, and much diluting liquids taken along with them, have similar effect in producing for a time a greater flow of urine, as most intemperate drinkers must occasionally have observed. ”

“ When on the contrary some branches of the absorbent systems have their motions inverted in consequence of the previous exhaustion of their sensorial power by any violent stimulus, other branches of it have their absorbent power greatly increased. Hence continued vomiting, or violent cathartics, produce great absorption from the cellular membrane in cases of dropsy; and the fluids thus absorbed are poured into the stomach and intestines by the inverted motions of the lacteals and lymphatics. ”