Bleeding, of all the general remedies, is the best; and, next to that, cold, and nausea, which may be considered as useful adjuvants. Sweating and purging are mostly to be used when particular indications present themselves, as may be understood from what has been already said. The first of these remedies, act chiefly by producing an universal abatement of action; and, of these, bleeding produces the most permanent effect on the body, and the most certain effect on the local disease. The two last are perhaps more useful, upon the principle of the sympathy of equilibrium, than that of abating action in general, which is only a secondary operation; and, therefore, they may be considered as remedies, acting rather topically than generally; for, according to this view, they act chiefly on the affected part. These two kinds of remedies may, in many cases, be usefully conjoined, producing thus a greater effect than either would do singly. Before quitting this subject, it may not be improper to attend to the proposal which has been made, of exhibiting anodynes immediately after bleeding, in order to remove the pain. “The most effectual remedy for this purpose, (says Mr. Bell) is opium, which, when pain and irritation are considerable, as in extensive inflammations very frequently happens, should never be omitted. In large wounds, especially after amputations, and other capital operations, in punctures of all kinds too, large doses of opium are always attended with remarkably good effects. In all such cases, however, opium, in order to have a proper influence, should, as we have observed, be administered in full doses, otherwise, instead of proving serviceable, it seems rather to have the contrary effect; a circumstance which is perhaps the chief reason why opiates in general have been very unjustly condemned, in every case of inflammation.” That, in every case of inflammation, opiates are hurtful, is what no one can assert; and their utility will afterwards be fully manifested. But, that opium is useful, or even harmless, in the inflammatio valida, which we are at present considering, cannot be admitted; because daily experience, independent of every theory, proves, that, by their use, the general fever is increased, and the local action aggravated. Even given as a preventative of inflammation, after operations, anodynes are almost uniformly hurtful[9], producing restlessness, heat, and thirst, and afterwards head-ache, sickness, and frequently troublesome vomiting. I have therefore now, after almost every operation, laid aside their use, and find, that the diseased action[10], subsequent to the local irritation, runs its progress with much less disturbance, and is much milder, and shorter, than where anodynes have been administered; and, in general, the sleep is much more composed, and always more refreshing. I have therefore, after lithotomy, amputation, the extirpation of the mammæ, and after labours, in almost every instance, omitted them.