Ififi 



THE MODERiN SYSTEM 



increased action of the vessels, and that a 

 ffreater quantity of blood is impelled into, and 

 circulates through the inflamed part than in 

 the natural state, it follows that bleedmg must 

 be a principal means of relieving inflamma- 

 tion, because it lessens the action of the whole 

 arterial system, and of course of that part 

 which is undergoing inflammation ; and be- 

 cause it diminishes the quantity of blood 

 transmitted to the part affected, by lessening 

 the whole mass in the circulation. 



Bleeding, however, is often misemployed, 

 especially when regarded as the only remedy 

 for inflammation, and other steps are neg- 

 lected. The obstinacy and vehemence of the 

 process, in weak constitutions, prove that 

 bleeding is not invariably proper. When 

 inflammation is complicated with an unhealthy 

 state of the alimentary canal, blood should be 

 taken away with great circumspection. A 

 great deal of induration, with little pain and 

 heat in the inflamed part, the probability of a 

 long and copious suppuration, and the de- 

 pendance of the inflammation on local weak- 

 ness, are particular instances in which you 

 should be sparing of this evacuation. Bleed- 

 ing is quite unnecessary when the local in- 

 flammation and symptomatic fever are trivial, 

 and especially if the cause of the affection can 

 be entirely removed. 



On the other hand, bleeding is highly 

 beneflcial in all cases in which the inflamma- 

 tion is uncomplicated, and attended with a 

 good deal of febrile disturbance. The same 

 is also sti-ongly indicated, when the part 

 affected is very sensible and highly important, 

 in regard to its oflSce in the system. Hence, 

 inflammation of the eye, which is a most sen- 

 sible part, particularly requires a free evacna- 

 ttOD of blood. Inflammation of the lungs. 



brain, or stomach, which are organs, the sound 

 state of which is intimately essential to the 

 regular continuance of all the various opera- 

 tions in the animal machine, particularly 

 demands the employment of the lancet ; for, 

 if a successful effort be not promptly made to 

 stop such inflammation, death itself, in all 

 probability, may be the result. 



The efficacy of bleeding is greater the 

 sooner it is practised, and the more suddenly 

 the blood is evacuated. Bleeding near the 

 part affected is usually more efi'ectual than 

 when done in a remote situation. The pre- 

 ceding remarks chiefly relate to peneral 

 bleeding ; but in local inflammation, topical 

 bleeding is scarcely ever improper. It is 

 always a point worthy consideration, whether 

 bleeding in or near the part, will answer better 

 than taking blood from the general habit ; for 

 certainly less may be removed in this way, so 

 as to have equal effect from the part inflamed, 

 and probably from every other disease that is 

 relieved from bleeding, and yet affect the 

 constitution less. Although, in many cases 

 the general habit may be relieved by bleed- 

 ing, yet the part aff'ected will always require 

 this evacuation most. That local bleeding has 

 very considerable effects on the inflamed part, 

 is proved by the sudden relief it produces. 



The modes of performing local bleeding are 

 by the lancet, or if in the feet, first removi&g 

 the horn with the drawing-knife, and punc- 

 turing: the vein with a stronsc abscess-lancet : 

 other parts, such as the thigh-vein, pastern, 

 &c., &c., also with the lancet ; the eye also 

 with the small eye-lancet, the temporal artery, 

 &c. But never bleed in i\\e jugular vein with 

 any other instrument but the common phleme 

 and blood-stick, or either in the plate-vem ; 

 hut particularly the jugular ; or should a 



