CHAPTER II. 



CIRCULATORY APPARATUS. 



BLEEDING. 



Bovine animals are usually bled from the superficial jugular, or 

 the mammary vein. 



Bleeding from the Jugular.— The animal having been suitably 

 fixed, the jugular is raised by means of a cord drawn tightly round 

 the base of the neck, and the vessel is opened with a fleam about 

 the middle of the neck. 



The skin of the ox being thick, a long-bladed instrument is 

 necessary. When the bleeding ceases, the cord is removed : some 

 practitioners take no precautions as regards the wound ; it is better 

 to insert a pin suture. 



Bleeding from the jugular may also be performed with the trocar, 

 particularly in animals with fine, thin skin. 



Bleeding from the Mammary Vein.— The mammary vein may be 

 opened with the fleam, the straight bistoury, or the lancet. The head 

 is firmly fixed and the hind limbs controlled by a rope passed in a 

 figure of eight above the hocks. 



In bleeding on the left the operator places himself at an angle to 

 the animal's side, opposite the hypochondriac region, with his back 

 towards the animal's head, and holds the fleam in his right hand. 

 To operate on the right-hand side the fleam is held in the left hand. 



This method of bleeding always causes thrombus formation, on 

 account of the low position of the opening in the vein. The animal's 

 bed should be kept very clean, in order to prevent any local infec- 

 tion which might cause haemorrhagic or suppurative phlebitis. The 

 lancet or bistoury can only be used in animals with very fine skin. 



In bovine animals small quantities of blood are sometimes taken 

 from the facial vein or the veins of the ear or tail. 



BLEEDING IN SHEEP. 



On account of the quantity of fatty tissue and wool covering the 

 jugular furrow in the sheep, bleeding is scarcely practicable at that 



