224 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



orifice made, and the untying of the 1'gature, by which syncope 

 is often induced." 



DCCXCV. That a spasm of the extreme vessels has a share 

 in supporting haemorrhagy, appears to me probable from hence, 

 that blistering has been ofte.n found useful in moderating and 

 suppressing the disease. 



DCCXCVI. Do emetics and vomiting contribute to the 

 cure of haemorrhagy ? See Dr. Bryan Robinson on the virtues 

 and powers of medicines. " He imagines, that during the sick 

 fit which always ushers in vomiting, they produce a powerful 

 constriction upon the whole arterial vessels) for, from the con- 

 dition of the pulse at that time, we know that the action of 

 the heart is considerably weakened. But when the full vom- 

 iting comes on, that effect immediately ceases, and the action 

 of the heart and arteries is manifestly increased. The use of 

 emetics therefore, as a sort of astringents, is to me attended 

 with much difficulty : but if practitioners are in favour of 

 them from actual observation, as I think I have observed, I 

 would explain it in another manner ; viz. by their power in 

 taking off the febrile spasm in general, and of restoring the 

 action of the extreme vessels, by determining to the surface, 

 and taking off the internal determination upon which the hse- 

 morrhagy depends." 



DCCXCVII. When an hasmorrhagy is very profuse, and 

 seems to endanger life, or even threatens to induce a dangerous 

 infirmity, it is agreed on all hands, that it is to be immediately 

 suppressed by every means in our power ; and particularly, that 

 besides the means above-mentioned for moderating the disease, 

 astringents, internal or external, where the latter can be applied, 

 are to be employed for suppressing it. 



" The Stahlians have said much with regard to certain con- 

 sequences of the employment of these remedies ; and in as far 

 as they can produce a sudden cessation of the haemorrhagy 

 before the previous plethoric state is taken off, and as they 

 suddenly stop a determination, which, from a balance of the 

 system, had for a long time existed, they may suddenly deter- 

 mine the blood to other parts of the system with danger. But 

 I believe the hazard is not often incurred, because I doubt 



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