THE ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 51 



In starting at the head to trace the blood back to the 

 heart, we find it carried from the head by two very important 

 vessels called the jugular veins; these are important because 

 it is from these veins that the animal is bled. The veins 

 which run up the inside of the front leg, carrying the blood 

 back from the leg, unite with the jugular veins, forming what 

 is known as anterior vena cava, which empties into the right 

 auricle of the heart. In tracing the blood back from the hind 

 leg, a large vein is found on the inside of the leg, passing up 

 under the hip, where it unites with the veins of the hip region, 

 forming what is known as the posterior vena cava. As it 

 passes forward it takes in veins from the various organs such 

 as the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, and small bowels, and 

 finally empties into the right auricle of the heart. This is the 

 complete circulation of the blood. 



IV. HOW TO TELL WHEN AN ARTERY IS CUT. 



There are two important points in which arteries differ 

 from veins, consequently there are two important differences 

 in bleeding from veins and arteries. When an artery is cut 

 two characteristics are noticeable, (1) the blood flows in 

 spurts or throbs because of their being directly effected by 

 each contraction of the heart; (2) the blood is of a much 

 brighter color because of being pure and fresh from the 

 purifying process in the lungs. On the other hand should a 

 vein be cut the character of the bleeding is the reverse. The 

 blood (1) flows in a comparatively steady stream because of 

 the veins being unaffected by the heart beats, and (2) being 

 impure or on its way to the lungs to be purified is of a much 

 darker color. Arteries are always found deep-seated and well 

 protected with muscles and bone ; as, for instance, the large 

 arteries of the legs always pass down on the inside of the 

 leg very close to the bone, and on account of this large 

 arteries are very rarely injured. 



