ON BLEEDING. 15 



In fevers of all kinds, and when inflammation 

 attacks any important organ, as the brain, eyes, 

 lungs, stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, bladder, 

 &c. bleeding is of the greatest use. It diminishes 

 the quantity of blood in the body ; and by this 

 means lessens nervous actions, weakens the action 

 of the heart and arteries, and prevents the bad 

 consequences of inflammation ; as effusion of serum, 

 adhesions, suppuration, gangrene, or mortification. 

 In these cases we must act with the greatest 

 promptitude to subdue the inflammatory action. 

 The quantity of blood to be taken varies according 

 to the age, size, condition, and constitution of the 

 horse, and urgency of the symptoms. From a large 

 strong horse, four to six quarts will generally be 

 requisite to be abstracted, and this may be repeated 

 in smaller quantities if the symptoms demand it. 

 The blood, in these diseases, must flow from a large 

 orifice made in the vein, as sudden depletion allays 

 more powerfully the morbific action. A horse 

 should never be suffered to bleed upon the ground, 

 but into a measure, in order that the proper quan- 

 tity may be taken. There are many other inflam- 

 matory affections in which bleeding is often very 

 useful in promoting a cure, where the life of the 

 animal is not in such imminent danger, or the 

 parts so important, viz. in catarrhs or colds, falls, 

 bruises, severe wounds, and strains from over- 



