The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-01-29
AGRICULTURAL.
THE nORsE-..R,ccdius.

neam or lancet. The first is the com
mon instrument, and the safest, except in
shillful hands. The lancet, however, has
a more surgical appearance, and will be
adopted by The veterinary practitioner. A
blood-s,ick-a piece Of hard wood load
ed al one end with Iead-is used to strike
the feam iuio the vein. This is some
times done with too great violence, and
the opposite side Of the coat of the vein is
wounded. Bad cases of inflammation
have resulted from his. II the nsl is
doubled, and the feam is sharp and i.
struck with sufficient force by the lower
part Of the hand, the blood.stick may be
dispensed with.
For general bleeding the jugular vein
is selected. The horse is biindfolded on
the side on which he is to be bled, or his
head well turned away. The hair is
smootled along the course of the vein
with the moislened finger; then, with the
third and little fingers OF the left hand,
which holds the heam, pressure is ma le
on the vein sutiicien, to hiring i, ia rly in.
10 view, but not to swell i, too much, for
then, presenting rounded su.iace, il
would be apt 10 roll or slip under the
blow. The point TO be selected is about
two inches below the union of the two
portions Of the jugular at the angle OF the
jaw. The feam is to be placed in di
rec. line with the course of the vein, and
over the precise centre Of the vein, as
close as possible, but its point no. ALSO.
lulely touching the vein. sharp rap
with the blool-siick or the hand on thai
part of the back Of the 1eam Immediately
over the blade, will cut through the vein,
and the blood will flow. A h.am with a
large blade should always be preferred,
for the operation will be materially short
ened, and this will be a matter of some
consequence with fidgeiy or FESTIVE
horse. A quantity Of blood drawn speed
lily will also have far more effect on the
system than double The weight slowly Ia
ken, while the wound will heal just as
readily as ;f made By smaller insru-
ment. There is no occasion TO press so
hard against the neck with the pail, or
can, as some do; slight pressure, if the
incision has been large enough and
straight, and in the middle Of the vein,
will cause the blood 10 flow sufficiently
fast: or. the finger being introduced into
the mouth between the iushes and grind
ers, and gently moved about, will keep
the mouth in motion, and hasten the ra-
pidity OF the stream by the action and
pressure of the neighborng muscles.
When sufficient blood has been tlken,
the edges Of the wound should be brought
closely and exactly together, and kept
together by small sharp pin being pass
cd through them. Around this a little
tow, or few hairs from the name of the
horse, should be wrapped, SO as 10 cover
the whole of the incision; and the head
OF the horse should be tied up for several
hours to prevent his rubbing the part
against the ,mangcr. In bringing the
edges of the wound together, and intro
duclng the pin, care should be taken not
TO draw the skin too much from the neck,
otherwise the blood will inslnuatc itself
between il and the muscles beneath, and
cause an unsighliy and sometime.
frOubIsSnma sunlliur
The blood should be received into
vessel, the dimension of which are exact
ly known, so that the operator may be
able 10 calculate at every period of the
bleeding the quantity that is sub,racted.
Care likewise should be taken tina, the
blood flows in regular sire I'm into the
centre of the vessel, for il i, is suffered TO
trickle down the sides, il will not after.
wards undergo those changes by which
we partially judge Of the extent of inflam-
nation. The pulse, however, and the
symptoms of the case collectively, will
form better criterion than any change in
the blood. Twenty four hours after the
operation, the edges Of the wound will
have united, and the pin should be with
drawn. When the bleeding is to be re-
peated, If more than three or four hours
have elapsed, il will be better TO make
fresh incison rather than open the old
wound.
Few directions are necessary for the
use OF the lancet. They who are com.
poient to operate with il, will scarcely re.
qulrc any. Ii the point is sufficiently
sharp, the lancet can scarcely be too
broad shouldered; and an abcess lance,
will generally make a frcer incsion than
that in common use. Whatever instru.
ment is adopted, too much care canno! be
taken 10 have it perfectly clean, and very
sharp II should be carefully wiped and
dried Immediately after the operation,
otherwise, in very shor, time, the edges
will begin to be corroded.
For general bleeding the jugular vein
is selected as the largest superficial one,
and most easily got at. In every aflec-
ton of the head, and in cases of fever or
extended inaamma,ory action. ii is dcci.
dedly the best for bleeding. In local in.
hammation. blood may be taken from any
oil the superficial veins. In supposed al-
In .sr Al