102 HOG CHOLERA 



or more is clipped off the end, and the part re- 

 maining is guided into the bleeding horn, which 

 is forced tightly against the body. When vacuum 

 is applied the contact is rendered air-tight, and 

 blood streams rapidly from the severed tail. 

 Moderate and uniform traction should be applied 

 during the process of bleeding. When the desired 

 quantity of blood has been drawn, the turncock 

 is closed, the vacuum remaining in the unit is re- 

 leased through the intake valve already described, 

 and the tail is ligated near the end or the raw sur- 

 face is seared to prevent further hemorrhage. 

 It is well to cover all the shaved surfaces with 

 ointment thus preventing chapping of the skin 

 which may render subsequent bleedings difficult. 

 Bleeding technique is a determining factor as 

 far as cleanliness of the serum is concerned, and 

 too much importance cannot be attached to it. 

 Thorough mechanical cleansing of the tail and 

 surrounding parts is a first essential. Before the 

 razor is used, warm water and soap should be 

 applied vigorously for some time, thus softening 

 the hair and removing all scurf. Disinfecting the 

 tail previous to bleeding should never be allowed 

 to degenerate into a mere perfunctory process. 

 During the bleeding operation every effort should 

 be made to prevent the vacuum from being broken, 

 for this admits a stream of air which may be con- 



