14 DR. EMMONS' REPORT. April, 



and boneset act as tonics. The effect of bloodletting, in subduing 

 and arresting inflammatory diseases, is another instance of the unity 

 of effect in the cases already spoken of, and it may be employed so 

 generally in the diseases of cattle that we never ought to lose sight of 

 it. Too much importance cannot be attached to the employment of 

 this remedy, for nine-tenths of the diseases in cattle, are those of in- 

 creased action, or of an inflammatory action, and it makes no differ- 

 ence what the organ diseased is, or what function it performs in the 

 system, if it is one of an inflammatory nature. Though each organ 

 performs a distinct office in the system, and though the structures are 

 different, yet inflammation, in its nature and effects, is the same, and 

 is to be combatted by the same general remedies : and at the head of 

 these remedies, in all cases, is bloodletting. Diseases in catde are 

 well known to be more simple than in man. The simplicity of their 

 diet, and freedom from exciting passions, are the two causes most 

 influential in preserving them from complicated structural derange- 

 ments, and securing the healthy and regular operation of all their or- 

 gans. Nature has pointed out their proper food, both in the instinc- 

 tive choice of that which is congenial, and the instinctive rejection of 

 that which would be injurious, and it is very difficult to compel them 

 to change their natural aliments for those which are artificial. 



For the successful treatment of inflammatory diseases, it is not ne- 

 cessary that we should understand the precise change which the or- 

 gan so affected undergoes ; whether, in the first onset of it, the cir- 

 culation of the part is less vigorous, or less rapid ; whether the quan- 

 tity of blood in the capillaries is increased and accumulates in them, 

 in consequence of debility, or not. We know that there is an accu- 

 mulation, that there are increased heat and pain. We know that ab- 

 stracting blood, and cold applications are the first natural remedies ; 

 we know that withdrawing from the circulation a quantity of the fluids 

 which act on the excitability of the heart, diminishes its force and 

 thus gives an opportunity for the equalization of the powers of the 

 system and of restoring it to its natural state. It is taking fuel from 

 the fire. Perhaps this is not well expressed. It is difficult to ex- 

 plain some points without conveying erroneous views, and it is as 

 much the case when we speak of diseased action, and the rationale 



