14ft 



VENESECTION BY FLEAM. 



almost inevitably enter. Failure to remember these facts, and to 

 observe necessary cleanliness, account for most cases of suppuration 

 and phlebitis and the complications which follow them. 



To prevent the animal injuring or infecting the wound, by leaning 

 against or rubbing itself on the manger, etc., it should be secured 

 on the pillar reins or tied up short. Nor should it be worked soon 

 after bleeding, because the pressure of the collar on the vein or the 

 rise in blood-pressure consequent on exertion may cause the lips 

 of the wound to spring open. 



In operating with the spring fleam on the left side, the instrument 

 is held in the reversed direction — that is, with the blade pointed 



downwards (Fig. 205), or the 

 vein may be compressed with the 

 right hand and the fleam held 

 with the left. 



The right jugular is easier to 

 open with the lancet (Fig. 206). 

 The position of the operator is 

 similar — -that is, near the animal's 

 shoulder. After wetting and 

 smoothing the hair the vein is 

 compressed lightly below the 

 point of operation and caused 

 to appear distinctly. The in- 

 cision is, as before, at the most 

 prominent point and close to 

 the operator's fingers, because 

 here the vein is more or less 

 fixed. The lancet is thrust 

 inwards and slightly upwards, 

 so as to produce a sufficiently large wound, though care must be 

 taken not to absolutely slit open the vessel, as is sometimes done 

 from over-anxiety. It then becomes difficult to stop the flow, and 

 it may be necessary to ligate the vein, in addition to which there 

 is danger of air entering the vessel. The incision should be in the 

 centre line of the vein ; the upper (or posterior) aspect of the vessel 

 must be avoided, as injury to the carotid artery may readily result 

 from incisions in this direction. 



In using the ordinary fleam (Fig. 207) the operator, standing 

 opposite the animal's left shoulder, holds the fleam lightly between 

 the index finger and thumb of the left hand, compresses the vein 

 with the other fingers, and with a short, smart blow from the blood- 



Fio. 20f>.— Bleeding; with the lancet. 



