The last division of local application, contains those which tend, both simply to abate action in general, and also to excite, to a certain degree, a specific change of the action. Topical bleeding is the chief remedy belonging to this division. Bleeding with leeches, or the scarificator, is employed in two different circumstances: First, when we detract directly from the inflamed part; as, for instance, from the surface of a phlegmon: Secondly, when we detract only from the neighbourhood of the inflamed part; for instance, from the skin which covers an inflamed joint. When we employ topical bleeding, in the first case, we may suppose, that the aperture, and effusion from the extremities of the inflamed vessels, produces, to a certain degree, a change of action. Every action of the vessels is performed at their extremities, and the trunks and branches may be considered as canals subservient to the extremities, and which contract and dilate, in a degree proportioned to the general and local action. If, during health, we open a number of the extremities of these vessels, we induce the hemorrhagic action, which continues longer or shorter, according to circumstances, and which gradually terminates in a serous discharge, or secretion. If, during inflammation, we open a number of the extremities of vessels, either in the inflamed part, or immediately contiguous to it, we induce a similar hemorrhagic action, which is different from the inflammatory one, and, therefore, tends to diminish that action in the part. We likewise, by inducing the serous secretion, tend to produce a termination to the inflammatory action.