166 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



troublesome and restless, whereby accidents of this 

 kind may happen, it will perhaps be advisable in most 

 cases of lameness to draw blood from the neck only, 

 where there is less danger of accident, more especially 

 if a spring-fleam be used, for although it might be 

 of some advantage in particular cases to draw blood as 

 near to the affected part as possible, yet the bad con- 

 sequences frequently attending it seem to counter- 

 balance any advantage that may be expected from it, 

 especially as the quantity of blood drawn from the 

 small veins is but inconsiderable, and of course no 

 great benefit can be expected from it in horses when 

 they are diseased. 



" The principal object in drawing blood is to lessen 

 its quantity, by which the remaining mass circulates 

 with more freedom in the vessels ; it likewise takes 

 off the inflammatory tendency of the blood, removes 

 spasms, and prevents other bad consequences that may 

 follow, especially in plethoric habits ; and, it is always 

 to be remembered, that when the signs or symptoms 

 of a disease are taken from the motion of the blood, 

 the disorders arising from it depend upon its circula- 

 tion being either increased or diminished; hence, 

 therefore, all the changes which take place in the 

 texture, quantity, and quality of the blood, are attended 

 either with a diminution or an increase of its velocity. 



" Although the cases which may require bleeding 

 are numerous, yet one general caution is necessary, 

 namely, never to take away blood but when it is abso- 

 lutely necessary, for it is a fluid that may be easily 

 taken away, but cannot be so easily replaced. Besides, 

 the practice of bleeding frequently, or at stated times, 

 is exceedingly improper, as it disposes the body to 

 become weak and relaxed. In bleeding, therefore, a 

 due regard must always be had to constitution, age, 



