C H A P. VI.
Of Phlebotomy.
What is Phlebotomy?
It is an evacuation of Blood procur'd by the artificial Incision of a Vein or Artery, with a design to restore Health.
Which are the Vessels that are open'd in Phlebotomy or Blood-letting?
They are in general all the Veins and Arteries of the Body, nevertheless some of 'em are more especially appropriated to this Operation; as the Vena Præparata in the Forehead; the Ranulæ under the Tongue; the Jugular Veins and Arteries in the Neck; the Temporal Arteries in the Temples; the Cephalick, Median, and Basilick Veins in the inside of the Elbow; the Salvatella between the Ring-Finger and the Little-Finger; the Poplitæa in the Ham; the Saphena in the internal Malleolus or Ankle; and the Ischiatica in the external.
What are the Conditions requisite in the due performing of the Operation of Phlebotomy?
They are these, viz. to make choice of a proper Vessel; not to open any at all Adventures; not to let Blood without necessity, nor
without the Advice of a Physician; whose Office it is to determine the Seasons or Times convenient for that purpose; as that of Intermission in an Intermitting Fever; that of Cooling in the Summer; and that of Noon-tide in the Winter; and lastly, to take away different quantities of Blood; for in the Heat of Summer they ought to be lesser, and greater in the Winter.