HJEMORRHAGIES. 223 



in all cases an haemorrhagy may be safely moderated by cool air 

 applied, and cold drink exhibited. 



u An equally necessary part of the antiphlogistic regimen, is, 

 the avoiding of all motion ; the motion of the body any how, 

 even by other powers, but especially bodily motion. I would 

 add another particular that has been less attended to, and which 

 prevents irritation, viz. a proper posture of the body, such as is 

 least favourable to the congestion that takes place : thus, an 

 erect posture in bleeding of the nose, and a contrary situation in 

 cases of uterine haemorrhagy." 



DCCXCIII. A second means for the same purpose, is, the 

 use of refrigerant medicines, and particularly of acids and nitre. 



DCCXCIV. A third means which has been frequently em- 

 ployed, is that of blood-letting. The propriety of this practice 

 may be doubtful, as the quantity of blood poured out by the 

 haemorrhagy, may be supposed to answer the purpose of art 

 evacuation in any other way ; and I am ready to allow, that the 

 practice has been often superfluous, and sometimes hurtful, by 

 making a greater evacuation than was necessary or safe. At 

 the same time, I apprehend it is not for the mere purpose of 

 evacuating that blood-letting is to be practised in the cure of 

 haemorrhagy, but that it is further necessary for taking off the 

 inflammatory diathesis which prevails, and the febrile spasm 

 that has been formed. Accordingly, in the case of haemorrhagy, 

 when the pulse is not only frequent, but quick and full, and 

 does not become softer or slower upon the flowing of the blood, . 

 and that the effusion is profuse, and threatens to continue so, 

 it appears to me, that blood-letting may be necessary, and I 

 have often found it useful. It seems probable also, that the 

 particular circumstances of venesection may render it more 

 powerful for taking off the tension and inflammatory irritation 

 of the system, than any gradual flow from an artery.- " Dr. 

 Heberden is the only person who has called in question the pro- 

 priety of thk practice (Med. Commentaries, Appendix p. 512.). 

 It has certainly sometimes contributed to produce anasarca, but 

 in many cases it is absolutely proper and necessary : and I have 

 seen an haemorrhagy stop, while the blood was drawing from the 

 arm. The venesection is rendered more powerful by the large 



