2dly. In all contagions distempers; this is a circumstance worthy the greatest attention. Reason and experience prove that bleeding here is very improper; for by bleeding, the contagious miasmata is drawn only the more into the whole mass of blood, and this is the fatal stumbling block, by which thousands have lost their lives. The manner of treating such distempers with success, I shall shew in its proper place. 3dly. In all old standing diseases, where there is a low, weak, though quick pulse; for in such cases bleeding is very improper, as the system is already too much reduced. 4thly. In all dropsies, scurvies, lentors, consumptions, &c. for here instead of bleeding and lessening the power of the solids, the patient wants strengthening, and has no blood to spare. 5thly. In all rheumatic and gouty complaints; for here nature must be assisted in order to throw off what is painful, by such means as will strengthen the solids, expell what is obnoxious, and prevent it from returning to the blood, or falling upon some more important part. 6thly. In all venereal cases, particularly if recent; as by bleeding, the pox will unavoidably be the consequence; as the venereal virus will be absorbed in the whole mass of blood. 7thly. In all paralytic cases, and such weaknesses where the strength of the body is already impaired. 8thly. _and lastly_, In the time of other evacuations of the body; as purging, fluxes, bloody fluxes, &c. and particularly when the body is in a sweat, or perspiration. From this, I hope, the good and bad effects of bleeding will be understood in many other cases, which would be too tedious to mention here; I shall therefore proceed to the operation of bleeding itself. ------------------------------------------- SECT. III. _Of the Operation of Bleeding._ Bleeding is thought in general to be a very simple performance; but in fact, there is not an operation in all surgery, requires more care, or is liable to more dangerous consequences, if ill performed. It is not only the opening a vein, but it is to open it properly, (taking care not to prick an artery or tendon) to take away a sufficient quantity of blood, and to heal up the orifice again.