372 



I074- Bleeding, when judiciously performed, has a quick and decidedly beneficial 

 effect, as in acute attacks of fever, inflammation, azoturia, &c. The 

 operation is generally performed by the aid of a lancet or fleam. A cord 

 is put round the neck of the horse or cow, close to the breast, and pulled 

 tight, until the jugular vein running down the neck is seen to rise and become 

 full and tense. The point of the blade of the fleam is then placed lightly on the 

 distended vein, and with a sharp stroke with a bleeding stick on the back of the 

 fleam, the blade is driven into the vein when the blood flows out ; after 

 drawing from three to six quarts of blood, or what is necessary, the cord is 

 removed from the neck, and the lips of the wound closed by putting a pin 

 through them and holding it in its place, with a piece of cord twisted round 

 the ends like the figure of eight 



1075. Bull-Dog, or Bull-Grip, is an instrument used for restraining cattle ; the 

 action is somewhat similar to the twitch for the horse. It resembles a pair 

 of pmcers, with bulbs on the ends of the mouth or grip. When opened, one 

 bulb is put into the end of each nostril, they are then closed on to the partition 

 dividing the nose and held tight by a screw, or spring and slide. In many 

 minor operations- this is the only instrument used for restraint, or more 

 frequently the thumb and finger of an attendant is used in the same manner 

 to steady the animal, 



1076. CASTING. — When some operations have to be performed it is necessary to' cast 

 the animal. There are various methods. For the Horse, the most simple is 

 that known as the side Hues. A good strong, soft hemp rope, about 20 to 25 

 yards long, is doubled at the middle, where a loop is made to go round the 

 animal's neck, close to and in front of the shoulders, with the free ends of the 

 rope hanging from the lower side of the loop. These ends are passed between 

 the fore legs, one to the left and the other to the right, and are each carried to 

 their respective sides, round each hmd pastern from the outside to the inside, 

 passing the rope underneath the line running from between the fore legs; then 

 up to and across the side of the shoulder through the loop round the neck. 

 The assistants on the right side stand in front of the horse and those on the left 

 stand behind. When the ropes are pulled, and the animal is cast, the head 

 must be kept well back. The hind legs are then made fast by pulling the feet 

 forward close up to each side of the chest, and making a hitch round the 

 pasterns ; the fore legs are then secured by passing the rope round each pastern 

 at their respective sides and tying them to the hind pasterns. Special hobbles 

 are also made of strong leather, and put round the pasterns of each leg, and 

 held together by loops thi^ough which a chain or rope is passed. The legs 

 are pulled together and the animal is thrown. For the Cow, make a loop at the end 

 of a good strong cart rope. Put the loop over the head of the animal, carry ii down 



