14 ON BLEEDING. 



CHAP. IV. 



ON BLEEDING. 



Bleeding is often the most useful and effica- 

 cious means we possess of curing diseases. In 

 inflammatory affections, it is generally the first 

 remedy we resort to, and its immediate salutary 

 effects often surprise us. 



In spasmodic diseases it is frequently not less 

 beneficial; as cholic, convulsions, strangury, or 

 difficulty of voiding urine, and others. 



When it is necessary to deplete the whole system, 

 we generally open the jugular or neck vein. If 

 the inflammatory action is local, we deplete where 

 it can conveniently be done, either from the part 

 affected, or in its vicinity ; as by opening the plate 

 vein, superficial vein of the thigh, temporal arteries, 

 scarifying the vessels of the white of the eye, and 

 sometimes the vein at the toe : small quantities 

 may also be taken from the palate and other parts. 

 We frequently combine general and topical blood- 

 letting at the same time ; as in inflammation of 

 the eyes, &c. 



