222 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



many arguments to shew the necessity of it, and many facts 

 showing the dangerous consequences of stopping it ; they say 

 that we need not be anxious about the quantity which hap- 

 pens to flow, that we find it indeed sometimes excessive, but 

 that the system readily recovers itself; and they probably sup- 

 pose the administration of a reasonable soul, by which the quan- 

 tity will be adapted to the necessity of the system, and there- 

 fore may be left to itself. The consequence of this observation 

 is easily enough obviated : we know indeed that the sudden sup- 

 pression of haemorrhagy may be in many cases dangerous, and 

 the use of direct astringents is improper ; but this certainly does 

 not at all affect the proposal of remedies, which do not stop the 

 haemorrhagy, but in a great measure supersede its being ex- 

 cessive. 



66 The second part of their argument arises from the intelli- 

 gence and wisdom of nature, and our trusting to that. I will 

 not attack their general proposition : we see the wisdom of the 

 animal economy in guarding against its own deviations ; but with 

 regard to the subject in question, there is no doubt that haemorr- 

 hagy often goes to hurtful excess, even when excited by the 

 powers of the system. We have many proofs of its being ab- 

 solutely mortal, and we know innumerable instances where it at 

 least produced disease : and the repetition of haemorrhagy has 

 the effect of constantly favouring the return of the symptom s." 



DCCXCI. In many cases, however, it may be suspected, 

 that the quantity of blood poured out, is not exactly in propor- 

 tion to the necessities of the system, either for relieving a gen- 

 eral plethora or a particular congestion, but that it is often to a 

 greater quantity than these require. This we suppose to happen 

 in consequence of an inflammatory diathesis prevailing, and of 

 a febrile spasm being formed ; and therefore it is in many cases 

 proper, as well as for the most part safe, to moderate the eva- 

 cuation, and, when it threatens to go to excess, to suppress it 

 altogether. 



DCCXCII. An haemorrhagy may be moderated by avoiding 

 any irritation that might concur to increase it ; so that every 

 part of the antiphlogistic regimen is to be observed ; in partic- 

 ular external heat, both as it rarefies the fluids, and stimulates 

 the solids, is to be carefully avoided : and, it is probable, that 



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