1st. When a strong robust person, of a full and sanguine complexion, by accident receives a heavy contusion; a broken limb; or wound, whereby the parts become inflamed; a fever like to ensue; and that the pulse becomes hard and full, the veins distended, &c. &c.
2dly. When such a person receives a great shock, fall, terror, or any other strong emotion of the mind; whereby the blood becomes rarefied, or threatens a fever.
3dly. In the beginning of pleurisy, peripneumony, sudden and violent fevers, great colds, &c. as also scalding, burning, apoplexies, convulsions, palpitations, suffocations, and all such dangerous violent disorders; in these cases only bleeding is useful, and then it ought to be performed immediately, and with great moderation: six or eight ounces is enough from the strongest man; if requisite, it may be easily repeated, but if overdone, it is not so easily replenished.
Bleeding in general is hurtful
1st. In agues, notwithstanding the violent paroxysm of the hot fit, because the solids are here too much relaxed.
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.