210 ON THE NATURE AND PRINCIPLES OF 



surface present in the former affection, giving rise 

 to its distinctive peculiarities. 



It now only remains to consider the means by 

 which the restoration to a natural state of the vessels 

 affected in determination of blood is accomplished ; 

 and the examination of this question will at once 

 conduct us to the principles on which its treatment 

 is to be conducted. 



From the remarks which have been made in ex- 

 plaining the production of its other terminations, it is 

 evident that the local arterial hyperasmia which con- 

 stitutes this disorder can only be removed by the 

 contraction of the affected vessels, and the resumption 

 and maintenance of their normal calibre. The re- 

 moval, then, of every circumstance which can impede 

 this reaction, and the employment of every measure 

 which may appear calculated to facilitate and favour 

 it, are clearly the two great principles to be observed 

 in the treatment of this affection. 



As regards the first point, the removal, where 

 practicable, of the exciting cause and the diminution 

 of the pressure of the fluid columns distending the 

 affected vessels are the chief ends to be attempted. 

 The former, as a general therapeutic rule, requires 

 no comment : on the most advantageous method of 

 effecting the latter object a few words may not 

 be altogether useless. Determination of blood, like 

 inflammation, may exist with or without general ple- 

 thora; and in the treatment of both affections a 

 constant reference to the quantity of circulating 

 fluid is indispensable to successful practice. When, 

 therefore, determination of blood exists with general 



