CAPILLARY BLEEDING. 519 



There are two modes of cupping, the dry and the scarified, or 

 •wet. The dry cup consists in the simple appUcation of the in- 

 strument upon the skin to produce a sweUing, accompanied with 

 more or less injection of the capillary vessels, and a local irrita- 

 tion, which generally rapidly subsides. 



The operation of scarified cupping consists, first, in applying 

 the instrument to produce the swelling, and when the tumefac- 

 tion is sufficient following it with the scarificator. In completing 

 the first step, which is the same as for the dry cuppings, several 

 means are used. The skin being prejjared by clipping or shaving 

 off the hair, a small glass globe, filled with heated air, is placed 

 over the spot selected for the operation. A small ball of wadding 

 or oakum, either dry or moistened with an inflammable liquid, is 

 placed in the glass and lighted, and as it begins to burn the glass 

 is pressed upon the skin. To avoid burning the skin, pumping, 

 or vacuum-cups, have been devised, some of which are provided 

 with scarificating blades. These are, however, too complicated 

 for our general practice. When the effect of the cupping is com- 

 pleted, the red and tumefied skin, which is exposed as the glass 

 is removed, is scarified with instruments ad hoc, as the lancet or 

 the bistoury, and the cup is immediately reapphed over the same 

 spot. The blood then escapes freely from the incisions, and con- 

 tinues to flow until the cup is filled and removed. 



{d) Leeches are not as frequently used in veterinary surgery 

 as they might be with profit. They are well adapted to small 

 animals, such as dogs, whose fine and vasciilar skin yields readily 

 to theii- appHcation. For applying them the skin is first smeared 

 with a little milk, sugai', or blood, and the leech, placed in a small 

 glass, or cup, or clean pill-bok, is brought in contact with the skin 

 by reversing the cup or box upon the chosen place. Usually it 

 attaches itself at once, and remains until it becomes gorged Avith 

 blood, when it voluntarily releases its hold. Sometimes, however, 

 it is better to place them upon a thick compress, moistened with 

 tepid water, and to apply this over the skin. In appl;ving them 

 on the leg it is a good plan to cover them with a cloth, secured 

 with a string tied about the leg above and below, formiog a sort 

 of bag. 



When the animal fails to drop off, after being thoroughly 

 gorged, a sprinkle of salt speedily causes him to release his hold. 

 The succeeding hemorrhage will ordinarily cease after a short 



