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Show If)"4.: Fluctuation (f opinion and I) ractice in. ever. different sets of vessels exist during disease in opposite states Of activity and fullness; apoint which should be always examined, when we have blood-letting in contemplation. Every person of experience must have met with some proofs of the advantage of opening a vessel in one situation rather than in another. There exist proofs, which one may venture to call demonstrative; and as, in medicine, we are seldom indulged with this sort of evidence, it is desirable that the particulars should he collected in a treatise on blood-letting. The following is one of the most apposite examples. In 1777, Dr. Vogel (med [Ira/rt. Beobac/ztzmgcn I. 25) elates the following history: 103 and being asked if his head did not feel clearer, replied with an expressive yer. The death of his father rendered him again melancholy and then lethargic. A copious bleeding from the foot having availed nothing, arteriotomy was repeated with an effect as astonishing as at first-othe complaint ceased while the blood was running-his original vivacity by degrees returned." So far D1‘.Vogel. Dr. Behrendsinforms us, that for the next 23 years he continued free from these symptoms, though he had illnesses and even fever repeatedly. In 1796, he was severely maltreated by marauders; after which he grew despondent, complaining of pain with heaviness of head and slight stupor. In 1797, his headache was aggravated after reading letters, relative to an appointment which he had ob- tained. Mania succeeded and then the lethargy. Copious bleeding from the foot gave short relief on several repetitions. So did bleedings from the nose, leeches, cold applications " "" *, 20, very lively, was stunned by a fall. ‘ In a few to the head. days he recovered but complained of heaviness of head. was shortly able to ride 45 miles. He Ten days after the acci- In the tenth week when he could scarce be roused from his lethargy, the temporal artery was again opened with the same astonishing effect as 24 years before. dent, however, he became suddenly raving-countenance red, During. the flow ofblood, of which 36 ounces were drawn, full; eyes suffused, sparkling; mm s incessant. pulse strong, full, delirium After a rigid antiphlogistic course, he became more composed, regained his sleep and resumed his occupa» tions. But in a month he falls into profound melancholy, and in a fortnight more into a deep sleep, in which he remained full 15 weeks, awaking mornings and evenings only, when he feels sad and longs to be asleep again. At length he is only to be roused by strong shaking and required that the food should be put into his mouth. During a journey of 80 miles, he scarcely awakes-couvukions and opistho‘tonos succeed-- endless medicines tried in rain.-At last the left temporal ar- tery was opened, and scarce had 10 ounces of blood flowed out, when the patient Opened his eyes, looked freely around; and he opened his eyes. He slept only at proper hours and enjoyed life for ten days, when after a long and violent chill, a fit of general tetanus came ou.--Three months afterwards the temporal artery being opened, scarce had two ounces of blood Vflowed out, when the patientawoke, declaring that his head was clearer.---He lived with some fluctuations ofintellect till February, 1800.--~Dr. Behreuds made a most minute disseo tion of the body in the presence of Dr. Soemmerring; and the observation altogether is perhaps the most compleat in the anatomy ofdisease. Amongst other things the medulla of the brain was tougher and harder than common, especially on the left side; the corpus striatum disorganized---the membranes 0 WON) M0 |