518 VETERINARY LECTURES 



1079. Bleeding, when judiciously performed, has a quick and decidedly- 

 beneficial effect, as in acute attacks of fever, inflammation, azoturia, etc. 

 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 3 to 6 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. 



1080. 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 pincers, 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. 



108 1. 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-lines. A good strong, soft hemp 

 rope, about twenty to twenty-five 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 hind 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 through 

 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 it down to 

 and in front of the shoulders, taking care not to have it too tight. Place 

 the knot in the loop on the side of the neck ; the rope is then carried along 

 the side of the shoulder, and over the back just behind the shoulder, 

 and under the chest ; then make a half-hitch by putting the long end of 

 the rope through the part coming from the neck loop ; pass the rope along 

 the side and put it over the loins, around and under the belly, in front of 

 the udder in the female, and in front of the sheath in the male, bringing 



