318 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
and from a small wound it is more rapid; so that the 
difference must be carefully considered, and the changed 
condition of the pulse attentively marked. 
When the necessary quantity of blood has been taken, 
the edges of the wound must be brought close together and 
kept in their place by a small pin being passed through the 
contiguous skin, with a little tow, or a few hairs from the 
mane or tail of the horse, wrapped round the extremities of 
the pin so as to cover the entire wound. In bringing the 
edges of the wound together, care should be taken not to 
draw the skin too much from the neck, otherwise blood will 
insinuate itself between the skin and the muscles, and 
cause a swelling, which sometimes proves troublesome. The 
edges of the wound will heal in twenty-four hours, after 
which the pin may be withdrawn. 
The jugular being the largest superficial vein, and most 
readily got at, is generally selected to bleed from ; and 
for affections of the head as well as extended inflamma¬ 
tory action and fever, is decidedly the best adapted. In 
local inflammation, blood may be taken from any of the 
nearest superficial veins. For example : in affections of the 
shoulder, fore leg, or foot, the plate-vein may be used, which 
lies along the inside of the arm, and runs up immediately 
in front of it towards the jugular vein. The disposition of 
this vein will be seen at plate vi. fig. 2, r, and the branches 
of the other veins of this portion of the limb are exhibited 
in the same figure. Where the hinder extremity is affected, 
blood is sometimes taken from the saphasna, or thigh-vein, 
which runs across the thigh. The course of the different 
veins of this part will be seen on referring to plate vii. 
fig. 2. Where the foot is at fault, blood should be taken 
from the coronet ; or, what is better, from the very point of 
the toe, by cutting down by means of a searcher at the 
