PHLEBOTOMY 



79 



Third Step. — Incising the Vein. — The surgeon standing 

 at the shoulder, facing forward, takes the fleam in the left 

 hand and the mallet in the right. The finger tips of the left 

 hand (holding the fleam) are pressed firmly into the depths 

 of the jugular furrow and as the vein fills up above them the 

 point of the blade is adjusted to its most conspicuous part, 

 the point touching the skin. Now after a glance forward to 

 determine to a certainty that the blindfolding is effectual, 

 the blade is given one quick, bold stroke with the mallet, forc- 

 ible enough to send it, full depth, into the vein. A timid blow 

 will result in a failure to reach the vein with the blade and 

 will excite the horse, to the detriment of the next attempt. 



Fourth Step. — Abstracting the Blood.— The vessel into 

 which the blood is to be drained (a bucket or basin) is then 



Fig. 37— Phlebotomy. Incising the Vein with Fleam and Mallet. 



pressed against the jugular two inches below the incision. 

 It thus serves the double purpose of catching the blood and 

 of bringing the necessary distal pressure to force it out of the 

 incision. One, one and a half, or even two gallons may be 

 abstracted, according to the effects on the circulation. Some- 

 times the flow will even cease before the desired amount is 

 obtained, but .more often it can be maintained as long as the 

 vein is submitted to pressure below the 'incision. 



Fifth Step.— Closing the Incision.— The pin is passed 

 through each edge of the small incision and then wrapped in 

 the form ofa figure 8 with the hairs previously obtained from 

 the tail or mane. 



AFTER-CARE. — The only after-care necessary is the re- 



