38 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



the animal falters, and the force of the circulation is sen 

 sibly reduced. In other cases, it is better to bleed mod- 

 erately, or only slightly. 



This remedy should be used with sound judgment, and 

 with great caution; for, though it sometimes arrests a 

 disease at once, at other times it may take away what 

 little remaining strength the animal has. 



Always catch the blood in a vesse^ that the quantity 

 may be determined. Give warm water after bleedmg, 

 and light food for several days, or longer ; if the animal 

 be in a weak condition, and keep him dry and warm. 



We are aware that many, of very respectable authori- 

 ty, are opposed to bleeding in almost all cases, whether 

 in the biped or quadruped race ; and we must say that 

 we regret to find that in works that are generally regard- 

 ed as the best extant, bleeding is recommended for almost 

 every disease that poor animals are liable to. Verily, it 

 seems that the writers on the veterinary art are a blood- 

 thirsty set. One, who is regarded as high authority, in 

 treating of twenty-nine different diseases incident to one 

 species of animals, recommends bleeding in twenly-three 

 cases ; directing to bleed the poor creatures to the amount 

 of six, eight, or ten quarts, or until they faint and fall, 

 and, in some cases, repeat the operation. 



The English term, cow-leech, is very appropriately ap- 

 plied to a cow-doctor, as they draw blood so profusely 

 They are leeches in very deed. The English veterina 

 rian surgeons bleed for most disorders. 



Although bleeding to so great an extent as recom 

 mended by foreign authorities, and as practised by some 

 in this country, who follow in their track, is, by no 

 means, to be recommended, yet there are two reasons 

 why bleeding may be more necessary in animals than in 

 the human subject. 



1. The animal is often very severely attacked before 

 it is known that he is diseased, and some very powerful 

 remedy is necessary, and that which will produce a very 

 sudden effect ; on the contrary, the human patient can 

 give notice of disease at its first approach, when it if 

 more easily subdued. 



