Acts powerfully upon all the mucous membranes and upon the skin, but its intensity seems to be upon the intestinal mucous lining which it tends to disorganize. Its action does not go on to inflammation, but seems to produce a depressed vitality. The mucous membranes are loaded with mucus, thus interfering with digestion as its pathogenesis indicates. A thick milky-white coating on the tongue is its chief characteristic. Characteristic symptoms.