Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 1.djvu/79

 of the chylopoietic viscera as the primary irritation, overlooking that this disordered state must itself have had a cause. If his attention had not been absorbed by an engrossing conception, he must have perceived that this derangement of digestive function arose itself from other disturbing causes equally capable of detection; that in many instances it had its origin in overcharged blood-vessels excited to morbid actions, and endeavouring to relieve themselves by increased activity in their secretory and excretory functions; and that in such cases moderate blood-letting, in aid of his blue pill and alkalised bitters, would effect, both more speedily and more perfectly, the restoration of healthy secretion which he was so anxious to promote.

In many respects the effects of remedies should be more accurately noted than is generally deemed necessary. Many report the curative effects of blood-letting, without noticing the character of the blood drawn. This omission is hardly excusable. Even the ordinary account of blood being sizy, buffed, or cupped, is too meagre. Many other variations of condition exist, as must be well known to all who closely examine. In ascertaining the condition of the coagulum, simple inspection is not enough. Division of the mass with a scissors, will best exhibit its real state, and will, occasionally, display what would not otherwise be suspected. In this way irregular masses of gluten will be sometimes found dipping into the subjacent cruor. The thickness and firmness of the buffy coat, too, can only be thus shewn. Even the fact of burliness may be thus ascertained, when it would otherwise be overlooked. It