122 The Horse Faerieb. '^ 



BLEEDING. 



This operation is performed with a fleam or a lancet. 

 The first is the common instrument, except in skillful 

 hands. The lancet, however, has a more surgical appear- 

 ance, and wUl be adopted by the veterinary practitioner. 

 A bloodstick is used to strike the fleam into the vein. 

 This is sometimes done with too great violence, and the 

 opposite side of the coat of the vein is wounded. Bad 

 cases of inflammation have resulted from this. If the 

 fist is doubled, and the fleam is sharp and is struck with 

 sufiicient force with the lower part of the hand, the blood- 

 stick may be dispensed with. 



For general bleeding the jugular vein is selected. The 

 horse is blindfolded on the side on which he is to be bled, 

 or his head turned well away. The hair is smoothed 

 along the course of the vein with the moistened finger ; 

 then, with the third and little finger of the left hand, 

 which holds the fleam, pressm-e is made on the vein suf- 

 ficient to bring it fairly into view, but not to swell it too 

 much, for then presenting a rounded surface, it would 

 be apt to roll or slip under the blow. The point to be 

 selected is about two inches below the union of the two 

 portions of the jugular at the angle of the jaw. The 

 fleam is to be placed in a direct line with the course of 

 the vein, and over the precise centre of the vein, as close 

 to it as possible, but its point not absolutely touchmg 

 the vein. A sharp rap with the hand on that part of the 

 back of the fleam immediately over the blade, will cut 

 through the vein, and the blood will flow. A fleam with 

 a large blade should always be preferred. A quantity of 

 blood drawn speedily will also have far more effect on 

 the system than double the weight slowly taken, while 



