204 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



ful over-heating, by which the adipose matter in the body 

 had become softened — almost melted — and, settling down 

 upon the nerves and blood-vessels, had produced suspension 

 of nervous action, and a fearful congestion of the circulation. 

 Every nerve was fully set, and every muscle and tendon con- 

 tracted to its utmost. Her jaws were not only fixed, but 

 were so much drawn that to swallow was impossible. Med- 

 icines, abundant and powerful, were within easy reach ; but 

 of what avail was this when not a thimbleful could be made 

 to reach her stomach by any means? It was evident that 

 she could stand upon her feet but a little while longer, and, 

 if once down, she would never rise again. Unless relief 

 could be given at once, she could not live more than from 

 four to six hours at farthest. Her pulse was hard, corded, 

 and fearfully accelerated, beating about seventy-three to the 

 minute. Kow what was to be done ? We resorted to " the 

 vile practice " of bleeding, and are willing to compare results 

 with either any opposer or abuser of the system. 



The neck vein having been opened, half a gallon of blood 

 was permitted to run, when she .appeared weak, and the 

 stream was stopped. The blood was the thickest and black- 

 est we ever saw drawn, except in some cases of big head, 

 and for some minutes came very slowly, although the incis- 

 ion was a large one. Her faintness from the loss of so little 

 blood was surprising; but this was in consequence of drain- 

 ing so much from the immediate region of the brain, while 

 the general circulation, as yet, had hardly been affected. lu 

 this short time the pulse had become soft and flabby, though 

 its rapidity was not diminished. Some of the bystanders 

 said, "Why do you stop so soon? Bleed her until she 

 faints." But we knew better what was the proper course. 

 Had she fallen, while in this condition, she would have lain 

 there until dragged away to her burying-place. Our object 

 was to relax the system graduallj^ without overpowering the 

 vital energies, as excessive bleeding, at this stage of the dis- 

 ease, would most certainly have done. 



In about twenty minutes she rallied, and the arterial flow 



