BLEEDING. 639 



As the branches of the carotid artery lie close under those of 

 the jugular vein, it is safer to use a fleam than a lancet for 

 bleeding, unless a guarded lancet, made for the purpose, be 

 employed. 



The near side is the more convenient one of the two, for a right- 

 handed man, on which to bleed with the fleam. As blemishes, 

 however, are less likely to be noticed on the off than on the near 

 side, the former may be selected in the case of a valuable animal. 

 The cutting portion of the fleam should be broad, so as to obtain 

 rapid depletion, which produces a much better effect than when 

 the operation is prolonged ; the amount abstracted being the same 

 in both cases. The blade should be clean, sharp, and smooth, so 

 as not to injure the vein unnecessarily. 



Tlie spot having been selected, the skin immediately above it 

 should be smoothed down with a damp sponge. 



Tlie operator should open the fleam so that its back should be 

 at a little more than a right angle with the handle. He should 

 hold the joint of the instrument with the tips of the index finger 

 and thumb of his left hand, and should allow the handle to rest on 

 the space between the finger and thumb. If there be a second 

 assistant, he should press the vein, in order to make it more clearly 

 defined ; but if there be no one to help, the operator should, by 

 pressing his fingers on the vein, assure himself of its exact position. 

 Having ascertained this, he should place the cutting edge of the 

 fleam in the centre and along the course of the vein, but not across 

 it ; for a longitudinal incision will give a more copious flow of blood 

 than a transverse one, which might destroy the continuity of the 

 vein. He should then take the blood-stick (which is purposely made 

 short and heavy) in his right hand, and should strike the back of 

 the fleam a sharp measured blow with it, at a point just above the 

 cutting edge. On removing the fleam, a jet of blood will flow out, 

 if the operation has been properly done. If, however, the flow of 

 blood be slight or altogether wanting, the non-success may be due, 

 either to the vein not having been punctured, or to the opening in 

 the skin not corresponding to that made in the vein, owing to the 

 position of the head having been shifted. The operator may satisfy 

 himself on the first point, by compressing the vein a little below 

 the incision ; and, on the second point, by bringing the head back 

 to the position it occupied when the fleam was struck. If the blow 

 has been too light, although the fleam might have been held cor- 

 rectly, a second incision may be made at the same spot, or a little 

 above or below it. It is the safer plan, however, to make a second 

 attempt on the other side. 



When an opening is to be made in the right vein, the operator, 

 before striking, may cause it to become distended by pressing it 



