THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. 43 



to recollect that I had always avoided bleeding in my own 

 case, so as, a last resource, in spite of my previous loss of 

 blood, I resolved upon trying the experiment, it being 

 considered by many that the first operation of that kind, 

 in dangerous cases, is usually beneficial. 



I summoned all my resolution, and was determined to 

 use the lancet ; and having no one to perform the operation, 

 I ventured to do it myself. I ordered warm water, put my 

 hands and afterwards ray feet into it, and tried to bleed 

 myself, but neither I nor my servant, Antun, could suc- 

 ceed, as no blood came. Nevertheless, my courage did not 

 abandon me, for I thought that if I spared my body to-day, it 

 might be put to-morrow into the grave. In a fit of desperation, 

 I cut through the median vein of the left arm, upon which the 

 blood began to trickle, but to the amount only of about two 

 ounces. After my wounds had been dressed, I lay down ex- 

 hausted, and recommending my soul to God, 1 soon fell a- 

 sleep. I passed a tranquil night, and on awaking in the 

 morning, I found my feet warm, my pulse beating, although 

 but faintly, and the internal pain somewhat abated; but 

 the external pain was more acute, as the erysipelatous in- 

 flammation had extended from the back to the navel, and 

 from the arm to the hip, and owing to my excessive debi- 

 lity, I was afraid of mortification. Nevertheless, I had more 

 hopes of my recovery, relying on the efficacy of the bleed- 

 ing and blistering. To free myself from the troublesome 

 dryness of my tongue, 1 sent for some quince kernels, which, 

 enveloped in a small piece of linen, I put into some water, 

 and with this little pad I frequently moistened my tongue, 

 which produced a very good effect. In the course of the day 

 I began also to chew some monaka ( large raisins ), which 

 refreshed me. To arrest the farther extension of local inflam- 

 mation, I sent my servant to the bazaar, to endeavour to 

 procure some leeches, and in case he could not obtain them, 

 he was to bring a barber or some other person to cup me. 

 He came back, accompanied by a woman provided with a 

 quantity of leeches, by which I ascertained that the Persian 

 physician, who told me that no leeches were to be obtained, 



10 



