DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 39 



and in numerous cases an excellent substitute for bleed- 

 ing, as it subtracts very largely from the blood, reducing 

 temporarily the circulation, producing debility, and puri- 

 fying the blood ; this may be practised conveniently in 

 the human subject, but in animals it is very difficult. 



In this work, we have preferred other remedies to that 

 of bleeding, so far as others seemed efficacious, as shown 

 by practice » but as all works on the diseases of animals 

 have run so much on bleeding, and as this has been the 

 practice to a great extent, it is impossible to avoid intro- 

 ducing bleeding occasionally, in giving the modes of treat- 

 ment that have been generally pursued ; as few or none, 

 who are opposed to bleeding, as a general thing, have 

 given their views to the public on the treatment of ani- 

 mals. Mild means one preferable to bleeding. 



As we give the modes pursued by those who practise 

 bleeding, all who prefer that way can pursue it, and of 

 course they will not complain ; whilst those who depend 

 more on other remedial means, will find that we have 

 given various other remedies and modes of treatment, 

 which may generally be substituted for bleeding by those 

 who prefer them. Among the substitutes, are purga- 

 tives, diuretics, setons, abstinence, light feeding, astrin- 

 gents, anodynes, sedatives, &c. &;c. Abstinence is far 

 preferable to bleeding, as it is more convenient, more 

 pleasant, and more economical ; and in many cases, it 

 will answer the same purpose, not only checking the 

 disease, but removing the cause. 



[See further directions and remarks on this subject, 

 under different species of animals.] 



BACK-RAKING. 



This process is very useful in cases of fever, costive- 

 ness, colic, and other diseases, in order to favor the oper- 

 ation of purgatives and injections ; for in these diseases, 

 the dung in the rectum, or straight gut, becomes dry and 

 hard, to the great inconvenience of the animal, and se- 

 rious disadvantages as to the operation of medicines. 

 When he has not dunged for some time, and a fulness 

 IS perceived about the flank and fundament, back-raldng 

 should be attended to, as follows : 



