BLEEDING. 255 



If the evils complained of did actiically follow bleeding, even 

 then, considering the immediate good it accomplishes, it would 

 yet be good practice to resort to it. 



But it is said that we ought to discard bleeding, because 

 dropsy of the chest and general dropsy have been produced 

 by excessive bleeding. I admit it to be the fact that they may 

 be so brought on. But in an experience of over thirty years 

 no such case has occurred in my practice. I think such is the 

 experience of good veterinary surgeons generally. 



It is objected that the practice is barbarous. If it is the 

 safest, as it certainly is the quickest, method of relieving the 

 animal from the pain and danger of inflammation, I can not 

 see wherein it is barbarous. Such an objection to a remedy 

 attended with so little pain to the animal, and which every 

 person knows gives present relief, at least, from the pain of 

 the disease, seems too ridiculous to be urged by a sensible man. 



Bleeding has this advantage, that it is a remedy that can 

 always be resorted to in a few minutes from the time the horse 

 is taken. By the directions given, the operation can be per- 

 formed by any one, whereas one or more hours have to be 

 lost in going to the drug-store, often many miles off. By 

 bleeding, the disease can, at least, be held in abeyance until 

 other necessary remedies can be obtained. This saving of time 

 very often proves to be the saving of the horse's life. It is a 

 simple remedy, and often breaks up a disease at once, and 

 may save the expense of employing a veterinary surgeon and 

 of more costly medicines. I have no personal interest in the 

 world in recommending men to bleed their horses in any clis 

 ease. I have no delight in seeing blood flow, nor even in see- 

 ing man or animal compelled to swaUow offensive drugs, but 

 I solemnly believe that the proper use of bleeding is one of 

 the most valuable means within our power of subduing inflam- 

 mation in the horse. , 



Though we are not willing to entirely condemn bleeding, 

 we do not fail to use, in conjunction with it, those other but 



