Morbid Influence of the Spinal Nerves. 297 
6. By the employment of remedies at these parts, some of 
our most obstinate diseases may be rendered comparatively 
tractable. For instance, pain, in general, may be almost imme- 
diately relieved; and the symptoms of gout, rheumatism, 
phthisis, and cancer, more effectually controlled than by any 
other means I am acquainted with. 
7. The principal remedy is the abstraction of blood in a 
quantity proportionate to the vascular fulness of the patient. 
General bleeding being premised, when requisite. 
8. Cupping is generally the best mode of removing vascular 
fulness from the origins of the spinal nerves; this must be re- 
peated according to the recurrence of symptoms or the chronic 
nature of the case. The glasses should be much larger than 
they are usually made. Blisters, and similar remedies, become 
proper, after the due depletion of blood. 
9. A recent fit of the gout may be cured by a single ab- 
straction of blood proportionate to the plethoric state of the 
patient; but in this disease the origins of the intercostal nerves 
opposite the stomach will commonly require to be relieved, as 
well as the origins of those which proceed immediately to the 
affected part or parts. 
10. With this precaution, not only the phenomena of gout, 
but their cause also, appears to be removed ; and if organization 
has not been impaired, the constitution to be completely 
relieved. 
11. In cases of gouty affection of the stomach itself, the 
abstraction of blood from, or a blister applied over, the origins 
of the affected intercostal nerves, as the case may require, gives 
speedy and complete relief. 
12. The preceding diseases are only adduced as examples of 
the advantage of directing remedies to the spinal brain, and to 
the origins of the nerves which proceed to affected parts, and to 
excite attention to the extensively beneficial application of which 
this practice appears capable in the relief and cure of diseases 
in general; butit is by no means intended to recommend it to 
the exclusion of other remedies. 
13. Works on Pathology and Physiology, furnish numerous 
