CHAPTER V. 



Pruning in General. 



IT is within my recollection that the subject of 

 bleeding in the human family was discussed 

 something as pruning is now. It never occurred 

 to them that habitual bleeding was unnecessary; it 

 was only a question of proper times and methods. 

 Every season and every variety of torture in this line 

 had its advocates; and, as it is now all clearly attrib- 

 uted to want of knowledge, such a condition (ignor- 

 ance) has in all ages made its possessors very firm 

 in their beliefs. There was the lancet, the phlegm, 

 the cups, and even the filthy worm called the leech 

 was invited to the feast, and, in contact with the 

 bare arm filled np with the blood of the poor dupe 

 of ignorance. This practice was so common that 

 the physician was commonly called a "leech". It 

 is now almost entirely discontinued. The physician 

 of to-day rarely takes the blood away from his 

 patient; but rather studies to add to it. Neverthe- 

 less, there may be, and doubtless are times when 

 bleeding is advisable, even necessary. It is no 

 longer, however, trusted to the barber (who form- 

 erly performed it in many cases) but to the skillful 

 physician, who can give a good reason for doing it. 



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