158 



OPERATIONS. 



the blood be drawn, provided it be taken quickli/i 

 Nothing' tends so much to the recovery of an animal 

 from a disease in which bleeding is required, as the 

 rapid flow of the blood from a large orifice. Little 

 impression can be made on an acute disease by the 

 slow removal of even a large quantity of blood, as the 

 organs have time to accommodate themselves to the 

 loss, which might, for any good it will do, as well be 

 dispensed with. Either bleed rapidly or not at all. 

 The nearer the commencement of an ailment, in which 

 you employ bleeding, the operation is resorted to, the 

 greater the chance of its doing good ; n<S time ought, 

 therefore, to be lost in using the lancet, when once it 

 is known to be required. Bleeding by nicking the 

 under surface of the tail does very well where no great 

 deal of blood is required, but it is not to be thought of 

 if the veins of the face or neck can possibly be opened. 

 These are to be taken io preference to a vein on the leg, 

 as they are much more readily got at. The facial vein 

 (jT. V. Fig. 3. PI. III.) commences by small branches on 

 the side of the face, and runs downwards and backwards 

 to the base of the jaw, where it may be felt within two 

 inches of the angle, or opposite the middle grinding 

 tooth. It is here that the orifice must be made, the thumb 

 of the left hand being held against the vein, so as to pre- 

 vent the flow of blood towards the heart, will make it me. 

 Some prefer opening the jugular vein (J. v. Fig. 3. PL), 

 which commences behind the eye and runs down the 

 side of the neck. This vessel is, however, more diffi- 

 cult to open than the former, being better covered with 

 wool, and not so easily exposed or made to swell 

 Stringing is the mode commonly resorted to for this 



