tallowaceous powders, as chalk, crab-eyes, &c. which are taken inwardly for drying up or absorbing any acrid or redundant humours in the stomach or intestines. They are likewise applied outwardly to ulcers or sores with the same intention*. See Medicine.

Absorbent Vessels, a name given promiscuously to the lacteal vessels, lymphatics, and inhalant arteries†. Naturals speak of the like absorbents in plants, the fibrous or hairy roots of which are as a kind of vaia† See Medicinal, which attract and imbibe the nutritious juices from the earth. See Plants, no 21, 50.