342 NEUROTOMY OR NERVINGf. 



it with the fingers of the left hand, using the lance with the 

 right. The old-fashioned mode of bleeding with the fleam 

 and blood-stick is a bungling operation, frequently requiring 

 several trials before bringing blood, the result of which is an 

 inflamed vein. A more convenient, a more certain, and a more 

 satisfactory method is by using a spring lance, made for the 

 purpose, which never fails in bringing blood upon the first 

 trial. It is so contrived as to straddle the vein of the neck, 

 which keeps it firm, and prevents its rolling, so that it is im* 

 possible to miss bringing the blood when it is once placed 

 upon the vein and sprung. By this method of bleeding, the 

 covering of the eye and the cording of the neck are unnecessary, 

 and the operation can easily be accomplished by one person. 

 After the vein has been opened, the blood-pail pressed against 

 the vein will cause the blood to flow freely. When the desired 

 quantity has been drawn, the vein must be carefully closed by 

 passing a pin through the centre of the opening, taking 

 up the skin upon both sides, and tying with hair from the 

 mane or tail. The pin may be removed in about twenty-four 

 hours. 



WEUEOTOMY OR WERVING. 



This is one of the most important operations in veterinary 

 practice, and one that has been much abused, not only in 

 Europe, but even more so in the United States. Its useful- 

 ness was first demonstrated by Assistant Professor Sewell, of 

 the Yeterinary College of London. The operation consists in 

 cutting out a portion of the metacarpal nerves on each side 

 of the legs, thus destroying the sensibility of the foot. From 

 the instantaneous relief experienced by the animal in all cases 



