218 CATTLE. 



THE VEINS OF THE NECK. 



We here recognize the two jugulars which a: e found in most ani- 

 mals. The smaller, or internal jugular (fig. 25, p. 202,) is deeply 

 seated, and no practical advantage can be taken of it, save the 

 knowledge, that in inflammation and loss of the external vein from 

 bleeding, the return of the blood from that side of the face and head 

 ■would be facilitated by the internal one, for nature is wonderfully 

 ingenious in making provision for carrying on the circulation. 



BLEEDING. 



The jugular is the usual place for bleeding cattle. The vessel is 

 easily got at ; is large, and can scarcely be missed by the clumsiest 

 operator. The strap round the neck, in order to raise the vein, 

 should be dispensed with. It presses equally on both sides of the 

 neck ; and serious consequences are sometimes produced by this 

 sudden stoppage of the return of so much of the blood by the vein. 

 If the vein be pressed upon by the finger, a little below the intended 

 bleeding place, it will become sufficiently prominent to guide any 

 one. 



The instrument should be the lancet, but one considerably broad- 

 shouldered. A large vessel will bear a proportionably larger orifice ; 

 and the good effect of bleeding depends more on the rapidity with 

 which the blood is abstracted, than on the quantity drawn. The 

 cowherd, or the owner of cattle, would do better to confine himself 

 to the stick and fleam, for the hide of the ox is so thick, and the edge 

 of the lancet is so apt to turn, that it requires a little experience and 

 tact to bleed with certainty and safety. 



In the abstraction of blood, and especially at the commencement 

 of a disease, or while inflammation runs high, the rule is to let the 

 blood flow until the pulse plainly indicates that the circulation is 

 afl*ected. All other bleeding is worse than useless — it is sapping the 

 -strength of the constitution, and leaving the power of the enemy un- 

 impaired. 



Bad necks in cattle, after bleeding, are not common. They must 

 be treated by fomentations and emollient lotions at first, and when 

 these fail, the application of the iieated iron to the hps of the wound ; 

 or, in very bad cases, the introduction of setons, or the injection of 

 the zinc- wash into the sinus. 



BLEEDING PLACES. 



If any aff"ection of the mouth, or the nasal passages, should de- 

 mand local bleeding, cattle may be bled from the palatine vessels or 

 veins of the mouth. If the operator cuts but deep enough, plenty 

 of blood will be obtained -The cephalics before, and the aaphena 



