98 ON THE THEORY OF HEALTH, 



deter from bleeding largely. It is the weakness that is the 

 consequence of violent inflammation of these parts, and if that 

 inflammation be subdued by the loss of blood, the weakness 

 will -disappear." How weakness can disappear by the loss 

 of blood we are at a loss to conceive. All men agree that 

 the abstraction of blood will produce fainting, and coldness 

 of the extremities. Dr. Hunter, already quoted, says, " Blood- 

 letting is one of the greatest weakeners." 



" Next," continues the author, " a blister should be resorted 

 to. The tincture of Spanish flies, whether made with spirits 

 of wine or turpentine, should be well rubbed in." It is a well- 

 known fact that the application, and final absorption, of Span- 

 ish flies will produce strangury in its worst form : aside from 

 this it is an acrid animal poison, being taken up by the absorb- 

 ents, it enters the circulation, and is often fatal in its result. 



Now for the physiological practice. " The extremities are 

 cold ; " then we should proceed to warm them by hot vapor, 

 stimulating liniments, and by friction with the brush ; the 

 belly should be fomented with flannels wrung out in warm 

 water : this process will relax the capillary structure, and 

 equalize the circulation, and relieve the engorged vessels of 

 the intestines : then give an antispasmodic drink. (See 

 Antispasmodic, part second.) If the bowels are constipated, the 

 following aperient may with safety be ventured on : Take 

 half a pint of linseed oil, beat up in it the yolk of two eggs, 

 and administer it with a common junk bottle ; then use injec- 

 tions. (See Appendix.) The animal is usually clothed with a 

 blanket. We believe it is the duty of the physician to aid 

 nature in removing from the animal economy all the causes 

 of disease. We therefore adopt the most efficient, yet inno- 

 cent instruments and processes of cure, and totally reject, in 

 all cases and stages of the treatment, all violence, poisons, and 

 the lancet. If bleeding could be practised with impunity, 

 such assistance might be proper in the above case ; but as 

 the vital force (whose diminution is the proximate cause of 

 enteritis) is itself dependent upon the blood, increased debil- 

 ity is the necessary consequence of its abstraction. Hence, 



