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WE have an English Proverb, Better is half a Loaf than no Bread; and it is true also, if we cannot do as we would, we must do as we can: Where the Lancet may not be had, I never said bleed∣ing by Leeches was of no moment; but I do say in
this Case it was but of little moment. For it was not a Salve large enough for the Sore, nor a Remedy an∣swerable and proportionable to the Disease, whose greatness and nimbleness did not require bleeding for simple Evacuation only, but for speedy Revulsion also; which could not so answerably be performed by the faint droppings of a Leech, as by the full stream of a Lancet. The inflamed Blood was in a carreir, flow∣ing on apace with a full tide, to this Patient's weak Side; some had got already into the Pleura, and there caused a Pleurisie, and more was following, called thi∣ther by the anguish of a pricking pain in a very sen∣sible Membrane, sent thither by the opening of a vent that way; would any one think that the fleabite of a Leech in the Arm, would turn such a course of Blood? or that Nature (though in a mistake) being in her haste upon an errand of life and death, would probably stay to take notice of the little barkings or bitings of the small Curs the Leeches. No, but if by a Lancet such a breach be made, or so wide a door opened, that within a small time the blood, and with it the life, might quick∣ly run out; upon such an Alarm indeed it may be rea∣sonably supposed, that by letting forth but four or five ounces, the stream may turn, and Nature be so highly concerned, as to neglect a lesser danger, the relieving of the side, to prevent a greater, the losing of life; or quà data porta ruit; the Blood running out faster by the Arm, than into the Side, the stream must needs go that way where there is most vent: whereas by Lee∣ches, a man's life may leisurely and insensibly drop a∣way without any notice almost. And I pray of what great benefit could be Mr. Loss his bleeding of this Pa∣tient by Leeches, when-as notwithstanding she conti∣nued so ill, that all the Family despaired of her Life?