144 



SPRING FLEAMS. 



Spring fleams (Figs. 202 and 203) are intended to overcome the 

 foregoing difficulty. The case of the fleam is provided with an 

 opening (C) for the passage of the fleam (F), which is withdrawn 

 into the case and set by drawing back the cocking lever (.4), leaving 

 the plate (C) free for application to the vein. Having placed the 

 instrument accurately in position the operator depresses the trigger 

 (D), releasing the fleam, which makes a rapid to-and-fro movement, 

 dividing the skin and opening the vein. As the instrument is readily 

 placed in position, always cuts in the right direction and to the 

 right length and depth, and can be regulated, it continues popular, 

 despite its being complicated and difficult to clean. 



Fig. 202.— Spring fleam ; 

 old form. 



Fig. 203. — Spring fleam ; later form. 



When bleeding oxen a bleeding string is required, i.e. a cord 

 provided at one end with a ring. By passing the cord round the 

 base of the neck and through the ring and drawing it tight, temporary 

 engorgement of the jugular is produced, which facilitates operation. 

 Except for stallions and very heavy, fat animals the cord is not 

 required in equine practice. 



The blood should be received in a vessel of measured capacity, 

 so that the amount removed may be acurately known. 



The skin wound is closed with a pin suture, or the ordinary 

 interrupted suture. A word of caution is required against using 

 hairs from the mane or tail to complete the pin suture, as was the 



