The abstraction of blood must be carried to the extent of subduing the inflammation: there is no other limit to the quantity to be taken but that which is adequate to subdue the inflammation. To attempt to measure the quantity by drachms or ounces is wholly vain; because, if the remedy be properly employed, the quantity will vary in every individual case. To take an ounce more than the subdual of the inflammation requires is injurious; to take an ounce less is still more pernicious; to take the quantity necessary to accomplish the object, and no more, is to use the lancet—that powerful instrument, so dangerous in rash hands, and no less dangerous in weak, with the discernment and decision of a master. He who with a knowledge which gives and which justifies boldness and decision, is able thus to employ this great remedy, is a skilful physician, who has derived from study and experience the best fruit they can yield: he who has not yet reached this perfection of his art, (and who among us can pretend to the attainment?) must still go on to observe and to learn. The object to be accomplished then is clear; that means of obtaining it are known; and when these means are promptly, boldly, and effectually employed, what is the result of experience? That after all, the quantity of blood it is necessary to abstract is not large. The tendency of the preceding observations is not to countenance frequent and large abstractions of blood in fever, but to save the blood of the patient, by taking the due quantity at the proper time. Smaller bleedings will subdue febrile than pure inflammation. Febrile inflammation, as has been so often stated, is a modified inflammation, the modification consisting in less activity in the vascular system and greater depression in the nervous. Whence a moderate bleeding will make an impression upon febrile inflammation which can be equalled in pure inflammation only by a large bleeding. He who takes away sixteen ounces of blood in fever adopts a bolder and more decisive practice, and brings more effectual relief to his patient, than he who abstracts thirty ounces of blood in some other forms of inflammation; and he who takes away six ounces of blood in one febrile case, does more than he who takes away sixteen in another. But the question never can be whether the bleeding should be small or large: that is nothing. The thing to be considered is the condition of the organs, the state of the system; not the ounces of blood to be taken, nor the number of periods at which it is to be removed. Abstract blood to the subdual of the inflammation—that is the rule; abstract blood at the very commencement of the inflammatory action; if you are in time to do it, at the very commencement of the febrile excitement. Then little blood will be lost, and the patient will be safe. And when this is done, nothing of importance remains to be done. The practitioner who has been thus active in the commencement will be idle during the future progress