BLEEDING. 221 



The necessity, therefore, of examining blood 

 that is drawn from a diseased horse must be 

 obvious, as it assists in f rmino; a iudfvnient of 

 the nature of the disease, and points out the 

 proper remedies. When blood exhibits buff 

 on its surface, particukirly if at the same time 

 the coagulum be firm and solid, we may be 

 certain that the complaint is intiammatory, and 

 that bleeding may be repeated w ith advantage. 

 If on the other hand the mass of blood be 

 wanting in tenacity, and have more serum than 

 usual, we may safely conclude that the system 

 is in a state of dehiUty, and consequently that 

 bleeding is highly improper. 



In cases of symptomatic fever it will gene- 

 rally be necessary to take away four or -five 

 quarts of blood at the first blev'ding; I have 

 seen even six quarts taken with manifest ad- 

 vantage. It is at this p;^riod of the disease (its 

 commencement) that copious bleeding is par- 

 ticularly useful; and it is from an absurd preiu- 

 dice vvdiich obtains against this practice, that 

 so many horses arc destroyed h\ such fevers. 

 It is truly laughable to hear a groom or farrier 

 pronouncing with an afiVictation of unerring 

 sagacity upon the qualities of blood, frequently 

 observing, that it is too hot, and that conse- 



