On Rickets 321 



and repeat it two or three times at intervals of about 

 seven days. Although practical men make much of 

 this kind of scarification, I do not know whether 

 leeches would not do as well, or even better. For 

 I do not think that the leeches by their sucking 

 would cause any increased flow of blood to the head. 

 For whatever blood comes by their suction to the 

 part to which they are applied is removed by the 

 suction itself ; and as to the increased flow of blood 

 caused by the depletion of the blood-vessels, that 

 occurs in venesection as well. 



Further, in this disorder issues are of special use, 

 particularly an issue between the first and second 

 cervical vertebrae, for in that position, close to the 

 origin of the disease, it has the greater efficacy. 

 And the usefulness of issues consists in this, that they 

 largely contribute to the evacuation of the super- 

 fluous serosity of the brain, and so to the diminution 

 of its abnormal size, and also to the drying up of the 

 excessive humidity of the spinal marrow, and conse- 

 quently to the strengthening of the nerves thence 

 arising. A seton can supply the place of an issue. 



As to blisters, there can be no doubt that, placed 

 over the vertebrae of the neck or behind the ears, 

 they will bring relief ; but their action is suddenly 

 put forth, and their frequent use seems to be too 

 troublesome and painful to the children. 



Further, cupping without scarification, applied 

 along the spine, seems to be of no small importance 

 for correcting the humid and frigid condition of the 

 spinal marrow and for removing the torpor of the 

 nerves. Indeed, I think cupping, even with slight 

 scarification, should sometimes be used close to the 

 upper cervical vertebrae. 



