CANADIAN HOESE AND HIS DISEASES. 1 91 



ance with the anatomy of the part, but also a thorough 

 knowledge of the principles of surgery. We would, there- 

 fore, recommend our readers, in all cases requiring surgical 

 interference, to obtain the services of a qualified veterinary 

 surgeon, if within his reach, as he alone is qualified safely 

 and scientifically to operate ; for, bear in mind, surgery is 

 not a simple mechanical art, it has to do not with inert 

 matter, but with a complex organised structure, possessed of 

 life, 'and capable of maintaining health and repairing disease, 

 the intricate processes of which' can only be understood by 

 careful study and deep research. 



A short account of the principal operations will prove use- 

 ful to many who are beyond the assistance of a veterinary 

 surgeon. 



BLEEDING, PHLEBOTOMY. 



The operation of blood-letting is now almost discarded in 

 modern practice. It is simple, and can be performed by 

 almost any one with a steady hand. 



For its performance a fleam and blood-stick are required ; 

 the star of the fleam should be large at the shoulder to make 

 a sufiicient opening to allow a free flow of blood, and the 

 blade should be broad to prevent it sinking in when the vein 

 is deep. The jugular vein of the neck is usually selected to 

 bleed from. The head should be moderately raised and 

 slightly turned ofi" — the eye next the operator being covered 

 by the hand of the assistant holding the head. The left side 

 is easiest .operated on ; the vein is raised by the pressure of 

 the third and little fingers of the left hand, which holds the 

 fleam. It is most superficial about two inches from its 

 division, and from six to eight inches from the angle of 

 the jaw, consequently this point is usually selected for the 

 operation. The vein being raised, and the hair smoothed 

 down by the moistened finger, the star of the fleam is placed 



