40 INFLAMMATION. 



INFLAMMATION. 



Inflammation consists of an increased flow of 

 the blood to and through the parts. The proper 

 mode of abating which is to lessen the quan- 

 tity of blood — if we take away the fuel; the fire 

 will go out — all other means are comparatively 

 unimportant contrasted with bleeding. Blood 

 is generally extracted from the jugular vein, so 

 that the general quantity may be lessened, but 

 if it can be taken from the neighborhood of the 

 diseased part, it will be productive of tenfold 

 benefit: one quart of blood extracted from the 

 foot in acute founder, will do more good than 

 five quarts taken from the general circulation; 

 an ounce of blood obtained by scarifying the 

 swollen vessels of the inflamed ey^, will give as 

 much relief to that organ as a copious bleeding 

 from the jugular. This is a principle in the 

 animars nature which should never be lost sight 

 of; hence the necessity for bleeding early and 

 largely in inflammation of the lungs, or of the 

 bowels, or of the brain, or of any important or- 

 gan. Many hordes are lost for want of, or in- 



