BLEEDING. 
313 
some professional surgeons, to order a certain quantity oi 
blood to be taken away, without themselves attending to 
the operation. Although we have pointed out the probable 
quantity under particular diseases, yet it must be distinctly 
understood that much depends upon the strength, size, and 
condition of the animal at the time ; and although we 
may suppose, from what we have seen effected by practice, 
that the quantity which we have ordered will suffice, yet 
in this we may be greatly mistaken. No regular surgeon, 
however great his practice may have been, can predict 
this to a certainty. We have already pointed out, at page 
265 and the three which follow, the nature of the pulse 
and its different indications. Before bleeding, we are sup¬ 
posed to have ascertained the state of the pulse, and our 
object is to reduce it as nearly as possible to its natural, or 
healthy condition, or at least until a change has been 
effected in its action ; therefore, the operator or his assistant 
should keep his finger on the artery while the blood is 
flowing, and, without strictly adhering to the quantity which 
he had previously supposed, continue to take blood until a 
marked alteration in the pulse has taken place. Supposing 
it is for inflammation of the lungs, we must bleed until the 
oppressed pulse becomes fuller and more distinct, or if in 
considerable fever, until the strong pulse beats softer, or the 
horse manifests symptoms of faintness. 
The operation of bleeding is performed with a fleam, or 
lancet. We would recommend the former to be used by 
private individuals, or at least by such as have not had 
sufficient practice with the lancet. A piece of hard wood, 
loaded at one end with lead, called a blood-stick , is used for 
striking the fleam into the vein. Care should be taken not 
to strike too hard, as by doing so it is likely to wound the 
opposite side of the coating of the vein, which may produce 
