DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 105 



twenty-four hours the vessel is closed. When an 

 artery is lacerated or torn it seldom bleeds much, 

 as the torn coats are of unequal length, usually con- 

 tracting inward, and consequently there is very lit- 

 tle hemorrhage. Bleeding from an artery is known 

 by the jerking stream of bright red blood which is 

 pushed from the wound with considerable force. 

 As the animal loses considerable blood and is be- 

 coming weak the jerking is more perceptible. 



Treatment: Cold and hot water have both been 

 recommended. The cold causes contraction, but 

 prevents coagulation. Heat causes coagulation, 

 but prevents contraction. I find in the majority of 

 cases cold water is the most useful to stop bleeding 

 from small vessels. In tying an artery it requires 

 to be taken up with a pair of artery forceps and a 

 silk thread tied firmly. In most cases both ends of 

 the vessel require to be tied. Tie the end next the 

 heart first, and if there is no bleeding from the 

 other it need not be tied. Pressure at some distance 

 or on the wound will be of service in some cases. 

 Thus about the coronet, where there are a number 

 of vessels, it is difficult to tie them all; and I find 

 the best means of stopping the blood is to put on a 

 pad, then a tight bandage; and if this does not stop 

 it, take a small piece of rope, tie a knot on it, put 

 the knot on the top of the pad, bring the ends of the 

 rope around the pastern and tie it tight; this 

 brings the pressure right on the spot. In two hours 

 slacken the rope a little, but do not take it off, in 

 case of starting bleeding again. In twenty-four 

 hours the rope should be taken off, but the pad 



