180 THE HORSE. 



the fleam, pressure is made on the vein sufficient to brinp: it fairly into 

 view, but not to swell it too much, for then, presentins^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 juf^ular at the 

 angle of the jaw (see cut, p. 119). The fleam is to be placed in a direct 

 line with the course of the vein, and over the precise cetitre of the vein, 

 as close to it as possible, but its point not absolutely touchini^ the vein. A 

 sharp rap with the bloodstick or the hand on that part of the back of the 

 fleam immediately over the blade, will cut throug'h the vein, and the blood 

 will flow. A fleam with a large blade should always be preferred, for the 

 operation will be materially shortened, which will be a matter of some con- 

 sequence with a fidgety or restive horse ; and a quantity of blood drawn 

 speedily will have far more effect on the system than double the weight 

 slowly taken; while the wound will heal just as readily as if made by a 

 smaller instrument. There is no occasion to press so hard against the 

 neck with the pail, or can, as some do ; a slight pressure, if the incision 

 has been large enough, and straight, and in the middle of the vein, will 

 cause the blood to flow sufficiently fast ; or the finger being introduced 

 into the mouth between the tushes and the grinders, and gently moved 

 about, will keep the mouth in motion, and hasten the rapidity of the stream 

 by the action and pressure of the neighbouring muscles. 



U'hen sufficient blood has been taken, the edges of the wound should be 

 brought closely and exactly together, and kept together by a small, sharp 

 pin being passed through them. Round this a little tow, or a few hairs 

 from the mane of the horse, should be wrapped, so as to cover the whole 

 of the incision ; and the head of the horse should be tied up for several 

 hours to prevent his rubbing the part against the manger. In bringing 

 the edges of the wound together, and introducing the pin, care should be 

 taken not to draw the skin too much from the neck, otherwise blood will 

 insinuate itself between the skin and the muscles beneath, and cause an 

 unsightly and sometimes troublesome swelling. 



The blood should be received into a vessel the dimensions of which are 

 exactly known, so that the operator may be able to calculate at every period 

 of the bleeding the quantity that is subtracted. Care likewise should be 

 taken that the blood flow in a regular stream into the centre of the vessel, 

 for if it be suffered to trickle down the sides, it will not afterwards undergo 

 those changes by which we partially judge of the extent of inflammation. 

 The pulse, however, and the symptoms of the case collectively, w ill form a 

 better criterion than any change in the blood. Twenty-four hours after the 

 operation, the edges of the wound will have united, and the pin should be 

 withdrawn. When the bleeding is to be repeated, if more than three or 

 four hours have elapsed, it will be more prudent to make a fresh incision 

 rather than to open the old wound. 



Few directions are necessary for the use of the lancet. They who are 

 competent to operate with it, will scarcely require any. If the point be 

 {sufficiently sharp the lancet can scarcely be too broad shouldered ; and an 

 abscess lancet will generally make a freer incision than that in common 

 use. A spring lancet has lately been invented by Mr, Weiss in the Strand, 

 l)y which any one may bleed bom the jugular, or from a smaller vein salely 

 and certainly. Whatever instrument be adopted, too much care cannot be 

 taken to have it perfectly clean, and very sharp. It should always be most 

 carefully wiped and dried innned lately after the oi;eration, otherwise in a 

 very short time the edges will begin to be corroded. 



For general bleeding the jugular vein is selected as the largest super- 

 ficial vein, and most easily got at. lu every affection of the head^ 



