haemorrhage

Loss of blood from the circulatory system. It is ‘manifest’ when the blood can be seen, as when it flows from a wound, and ‘occult’ when the bleeding is internal, as from an ulcer or internal injury.

Rapid, profuse haemorrhage causes shock and may prove fatal if the circulating volume cannot be replaced in time. Slow, sustained bleeding may lead to anaemia. Arterial bleeding is potentially more serious than blood lost from a vein. It may be stemmed by applying pressure directly to the wound.