BLEEDING. 167 



tow, or a few hairs from the mane of the horse, should b® wrap- 

 ped, so as to cover the whole of the incision ; and the head of 

 the horse should be tied up for several hours to prevent his rub- 

 bing the part against the manger. In bringing the edges of the 

 wound together, and introducing the pin, care should be taken not 

 to draw the skin too much from the neck, otherwise blood will 

 insinuate itself between it and the muscles beneath, and cause sm 

 unsightly and sometimes troublesome swelling.* 



The blood should be received into a vessel, the dimensions of 

 which are exactly known, so that the operator may be able tc 

 calculate at every period of the bleeding the quantity that is 

 subtracted. Care likewise should be taken that the blood flows 

 in a regular stream into the centre of the vessel, for if it is suf- 

 fered to trickle doMii the sides, it will not afterwards undergo 

 those changes by which we partially judge of the extent of in- 

 flammation. The pulse, however, and the symptoms of the case 

 collectively, will form a better criterion than any change in the 

 blood. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the edges of the 

 wound will have united, and the pin should be withdrawn. 

 When the bleeding is to be repeated, if more than three or four 

 hours have elapsed, it will be better to make a fresh incision 

 rather than to open the old wound. 



For general bleeding the jugular vein is selected as the largest 

 superficial one, and most easily got at. In eveiy affection of the 

 head, and in cases of fever or extended inflammatory action, it is 

 decidedly the best place for bleeding. In local inflammation, 

 blood may be taken from any of the superficial veins. In sup- 

 posed affection of the shoulder, or of the fore-leg or foot, the jy/a-^e 

 vein, which comes from the inside of the arm, and runs upwards 

 directly in front of it towards the jugular, may be opened. In 

 affections of the hind extremity, blood is sometimes extracted 

 from the saphcBTia, or thigh-vein, which runs across the inside of 

 the thigh. In foot cases it may be taken from the coronet, or, 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — In performing this operation with the fleam, the 

 blood-stick should never be loaded with lead, as there is no possible occasion 

 for such extra weight. The lancet requires much greater skill ; and, whilst 

 the jugular vein of the near side is the most convenient situation for the 

 fleam, the off side is the best for the lancet. In using the .latter, the head 

 of the horse should be elevated, so as to put the vein somewhat on the 

 stretch, and prevent its rolUng ; the vein is then pressed with the fingers of 

 the left hand, which, obstructing the current, causes the vein to swell : the 

 lancet should then be dexterously thrust forwards and upwards, so as to open 

 the vein with one incision. The lancet should not be too large — should be 

 shaped like a human lancet, and about double its size, with a very sharp 

 point. In bleeding from the arm or the thigh, the fleam is more convenient 

 tlian the lancet. 



In closing the nr'fice th^, pin should not be very large ; and fine tow should 

 be used tn wind rou'x' Jt, and not hair, as the latter is so apt to slip. 



