of the Human Uterus. 81 



In the same strain, we observe the opinions of Den- 

 man to run on " fever and local inflammation" (rigidity 

 with inflammation). This excellent accoucheur says,, 

 that " It does not seem necessary to bleed every patient 

 on the accession of labour, and for some it would be 

 highly improper. But whenever the feverish symptoms 

 become violent, it (blood-letting) is, I believe, xin'wer- 

 sally proper ; the quantity of blood taken away, being 

 suited to the degree of fever, and to the constitution of 

 the patient*." If the fever arises from local inflamma- 

 tion, as we understand from the head of the section, and 

 as there must be pain where there is local inflammation 

 producing fever, he assuredly prescribed blood-letting 

 " for the diminishing of pain." 



A little farther on, a few pages only, the same judi- 

 cious man adds : " For the prevention of such difficul- 

 ties as may attend the first act of parturition, in those 

 who are advanced in age, we have been advised to order 

 frequent and small bleedings towards the conclusion of 

 pregnancy." For what is this advice? For no other 

 purpose that I can devise, than " to dispose the rigid os 

 uteri to dilate, and the external parts to unfold." 



To those already adduced, I will add Hamilton, who 

 tells us, that in "crampish spasms of the belly," or vis- 

 cera within the belly, we are to have recourse " to vene- 

 section, glysters," he. And in the subsequent para- 

 graph he subjoins, that " inflammatory diathesis, in 

 young subjects of strong rigid fibres, and plethoric ha- 



* Denmcui, vol. II, p. .v : ;. 

 VOL. III. PART I. h 



