14 - DR. EMMONS’ REPORT. April, 
and boneset act as tonics. The effect of bloodletting, in subduing 
and arresting inflammatory diseases, is another instance of the unity 
of effect in the cases already spoken of, and it may be employed so 
generally in the diseases of cattle that we never ought to lose sight of 
it. ‘Too much importance cannot be attached to the employment of 
this remedy, for nine-tenths of the diseases in cattle, are those of in- 
creased action, or of an inflammatory action, and it makes no differ- 
ence what the organ diseased is, or what function it performs in the 
system, if it is one of an inflammatory nature. ‘Though each organ 
performs a distinct office in the system, and though the structures are 
different, yet inflammation, in its nature and effects, is the same, and 
is to be combatted by the same general remedies : and at the head of 
these remedies, in all cases, is bloodletting. ‘Diseases in cattle are 
well known to be more simple than in man. The simplicity of their 
diet, and freedom from exciting passions, are the two causes most 
influential in preserving them from complicated structural derange- 
ments, and securing the healthy and regular operation of all their or- 
gans. Nature has pointed out their proper food, both in the instinc- 
tive choice of that which is congenial, and the instinctive rejection of 
that which would be injurious, and it is very difficult to compel them 
to change their natural aliments for those which are artificial. 
For the successful treatment of inflammatory diseases, it is not ne- 
cessary that we should understand the precise change which the or- 
gan so affected undergoes ; whether, in the first onset of it, the cir- 
culation of the part is less vigorous, or less rapid ; whether the quan- 
tity of blood in the capillaries is increased and accumulates in them, 
in consequence of debility, or not. We know that there is an accu- 
mulation, that there are increased heat and pain. We know that ab- 
stracting blood, and cold applications are the first natural remedies ; 
we know that withdrawing from the circulation a quantity of the fluids 
which act on the excitability of the heart, diminishes its force and 
thus gives an opportunity for the equalization of the powers of the 
system and of restoring it to its natural state. It is taking fuel from 
the fire. Perhaps this is not well expressed. It is difficult to ex- 
plain some points without conveying erroneous views, and it is as 
much the case when we speak of diseased action, and the rationale 
