85 



BLEEDING 



'should never be resorted to till the disease is 

 clearly ascertained. 



When you bleed from the neck vein, the first 

 six inches near the head must not be punctured, 

 nor lower down in the neck than a foot. Any 

 spot between six and twelve inches will do. The 

 vein branches off about six inches below the jaw, 

 and the best spot for bleeding is two inches 

 below that. 



If you have never bled a horse before, or the 

 vein does not show sufficiently full, smooth it 

 down and press upon it below with the fingers, 

 then tie the cord round the neck and lay the 

 fleam along the course of the vein, never cross- 

 ways, gently fixing it without penetrating the 

 skin. Having blindfolded him, do not shut your 

 eyes and jerk the fleam when you strike, like 

 a boy pulling the trigger of a gun, or you have 

 no more chance of hitting the vein than he has 

 the bird ; but, keeping your eyes fixed on the 

 fleam, give it a sharp but not a severe knock 

 with a blood-stick or tent-peg. 



Some people cannot bleed, which is unfortu- 

 nate in case of inflammation. Perhaps you may 

 be more successful with a lancet. Having first 



