Bleeding is the result of extravascular, vascular and intravascular defects. Most commonly, bleeding is the result of a defect in the vessel wall. Hemorrhage can be controlled by local and systemic measures. Local measures include: local pressure; rest; coagulation-promoting agents; thermocautery; application of ice; local vasoconstrictors; chemical escharotics agents; antimicrobial agents and sutures. Systemic measures include: rest; whole blood, serum and plasma; plasma fractions; platelets; ACTH and cortisone; estrogens; ascorbic acid; flavones; vitamin K; toluidine blue and protamine; the adrenochromes; antimicrobial agents, and splenectomy. The diagnosis of a bleeding disorder requires a history, clinical examination and laboratory studies.