It has been stated that the circulation is stimulated during mercurial-ization. The nervous centres are probably similarly excited. Even the disintegrating property is perhaps only the result of an excitant influence directed to the nutritive process. Mercury may, therefore, be regarded as a universal excitant of the tissues. On this account, it may be used advantageously in certain cases of debility, in which there may be no reason to fear its influence on the blood. Experience has shown that, in the typhoid state, the blood does not materially suffer under the use of the medicine; and there would seem to be, in some unknown way, an opposition between the influences of these two agencies, namely, mercury and the typhoid condition, upon the circulating fluid. Consequently, in febrile and inflammatory diseases which are disposed to fall into the typhoid state, mercury is useful as an excitant, while, as will be seen hereafter, it often serves a most excellent purpose by the possession of other powers.