DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD-VESSELS. 95 



HEMOKHIIAGE. 



The severity of a hemorrhage depends upon the size of the vessel 

 from which the blood escapes, though it may be stated that it is more 

 serious when arteries are severed; however, a groat deal depends on 

 the manner in which the vessel is wounded. If the wound in an artery 

 is in the direction of its length, the blood escapes more freely than 

 if the vessel is completely severed, because in the latter instance the 

 severed ends retract, and may aid very much in arresting the flow. 

 When the blood merely oo/esirom the wound, and even in cases where 

 it flows in a small stream, the forming of the clot, as explained in the 

 description of the blood, arrests the hemorrhage in a comparatively 

 short time. 



Slight hemorrhages may be checked by the continuous application to 

 the wound of cold water, ice, or snow, as they cause a contraction of the 

 small vessels. The water may be thrown on a wound from a hose, or 

 dashed on it from the hand or a cup, or folds of cotton cloths may be 

 held on the wound and kept wet. Ice or snow may be held against the 

 wound, or they may be put in a bag and conveniently secured in posi- 

 tion. 



Hot water of an average temperature of 115 to 120 F. injected into 

 the vagina or womb is often efficient in arresting hemorrhages from 

 ih'txe organs. Tow, raw cotton, lint, or sponges may be forced into a 

 wound and held or bound there with bandages. This is an excellent 

 method in checking the flow of blood until the arrival of an expert. If 

 the flow persists these articles may be saturated with tincture of iron, 

 but it is not advisable to use the tincture of iron if it can be avoided, 

 as it is a caustic, and retards healing by causing a slough. The arti- 

 may be saturated with vinegar in cases of necessity, or tannic acid, 

 or alum, dissolved in water may be used instead. The article (which- 

 ever is used) should be left in the wound sufficiently long to make sure 

 fn.it its removal will not be followed by a renewal of the hemorrhage. 

 1 1 should remain there one or two days in some instances, unless removed 

 by the veterinarian. 



An iron heated until it is white and then pressed on the bleeding 

 VHtel for three or fotir seconds is occasionally used. It should ! at 

 whitv heat anil applied for a moment only, or else the charred tissue 

 will come away with the iron and thus defeat the purpose of its appli- 

 cation. 



The best of all means is compression. This may be applied in different 

 ways, but only the most convenient will be mentioned. In most wounds 

 bandages may easily be applied. The bandages may "be made of linen, 

 muslin, etc., sufficiently wide and long, according to the nature of the 

 wound and the region to be bandaged. I ted sheets torn in strips the 

 full length make excellent bandages for this pur]M>se.. Cotton batting 

 tow, or H piece of sponge may be placed on the wound and firmly bound 

 there with the bandages. 



