MODERN FARRIER. 419 



where it is intended to be opened. By thus press- 

 ing on the vein, the flow of blood is prevented be- 

 yond the place where the pressure is applied ; and 

 the blood, consequently, can find no other course 

 but through the artificial opening about to be made. 

 The operator, with the lancet or knife, opens the 

 vein by making an incision obliquely across it at the 

 place where the trunk is largest, and where it is 

 most distinctly felt through the skin. The oblique 

 direction of the cut is found to answer better than 

 either one made directly along the course of the 

 vein, or one across it. While introducing the in- 

 strument, it is of great consequence to keep the vein 

 from rolling under the skin, and escaping from the 

 point ; this is best accomplished by making the in- 

 cision close to the point of the finger which presses 

 upon the vein. 



The annexed figure shews the situation of the 

 veins in the cheek most proper for bleeding. The 

 vein, a, is seen coming from below the under-jaw at 

 h, and spreading its branches on the soft part of the 

 cheek. A small nerve, c, runs in an opposite direc- 

 tion, and crosses over the vein ; and in the opera- 

 tion of bleeding, this nerve should 7iot be divided. 

 Below the nerve, a thick fleshy muscle is exposed, 

 called the zigomaticus major, which has the princi- 

 pal share in moving the jaw during mastication, 

 There is another muscle, d, much thinner than the 

 former beneath which the branches of the vein of 

 the cheek pass ; it goes to the corner of the mouth, 

 and assists in the motion of the lips. The vein 

 should be opened, in the operation for bleeding, at 

 the part where it is longest and nearest the surface, 

 and where there is least risk of injuring any adjacent 

 part. The place marked a, will be found in general 

 to answer best. 



