16 ON BLEEDING. 



exertion. Young horses, also, while shedding their 

 teeth, have sometimes much constitutional irrita- 

 tion, which bleeding relieves. But in these affec- 

 tions it is very rarely necessary to bleed to the 

 same extent as in fevers, kc. ; two or three quarts 

 generally suffice to be taken away. In many in- 

 stances we do not bleed at all, but have recourse 

 to other remedies, to be mentioned hereafter. We 

 are regulated in this respect by the symptoms. 



Moderate bleeding, as from two to three or 

 four quarts, is also used to remove fulness of 

 habit, or plethora, attended with slight inflam- 

 matory symptoms. A certain quantity of blood 

 is absolutely necessary to support and nourish the 

 body. When this quantity is defective, the body 

 becomes weak and emaciated ; but if too abundant, 

 the functions of the body are oppressed and im- 

 perfectly performed ; the eyes appear heavy, dull, 

 red or inflamed, frequently closed as if asleep ; the 

 pulse small, and oppressed ; the heat of the body 

 somewhat increased ; his legs swell ; he also rubs ofi' 

 his hair. Horses that are removed from grass to 

 a warm stable, and full fed on hay and corn, and 

 not sufficiently exercised, are very subject to one 

 or more of these symptoms. I, by no means, in 

 cases of plethora or fulness of habit, recommend 

 frequent bleedings, as it would rather induce a 



