266 ROWELLING. 



Having introduced what became absolutely 

 unavoidable, to demonstrate the frequent ab- 

 surdity (from long standing, and invincible 

 custom) of applying rowels in many cases, 

 without the least well-founded reason for 

 their use ; it becomes necessary to discover, 

 by scientific inquiry, Vv hat can be advanced 

 in proof of the supposed utiUty, that has for 

 ages rendered them the professional [or poli- 

 tical) rage of every class of equestrian 

 BOCTORS without distinction. Bracken, as 

 I have before observed, says, he attributed 

 much of the virtue of ro welling to the good 

 effects of rest and patience : and I am not a 

 little vain- that we fall into a dii^ct coinci- 

 dence of opinion upon so principal a part of 

 the subject. 



Previous to the intended iiivestigation of 

 their operative process and effects, I cannot 

 but express my disappointment in not find- 

 ing something more satisfactory from the very 

 intelligent and much enlightened pen of Mr. 

 Clarke, to whose professional j^ierits I shall 

 ever be one pf the first to subscribe ; thougli 

 unluckily upon this head, he has not de--* 



