BLOOD-LETTING in the horse is for the most part a simple operation, and one unattended with dan ger; hence the practice among farriers, grooms, and horsemen of all denominations. The vein running along the side of the neck, from the head to the chest, called the jugular, is the one common ly selected for the purpose, both on account of its volume and its superficial situation. Nothing more is required, to open it, than to make pressure with the finger just below the place where it is intended to apply the phleme, and as soon as the vein is dis tended by the current of blood coming from the head, and is perceptible under the skin, to direct the blade of the phleme towards it and give the' blow with the blood-stick. Sometimes a lancet is used. It is not so good an instrument for general purposes as a phleme: its utility consists in its be ing more convenient on particular occasions than the phleme, as in opening the vein of the thigh or arm; also in its being more portable.
Now and then it will happen that the animal will get what is called by the vulgar, " a bad neck," in consequence of being bled. The place will take to swelling all on a sudden, and present a globular tumour as large, perhaps, as one's fist. This arises from the escape of blood underneath the skin, and will require nothing more than a vinegar and-water lotion, and some aperient or diuretic medicine internally to disperse it. What is of far more consequence, is the tumefaction which takes place some days after the operation, and runs in the form of a chord towards the head: the orifice of the wound made by the phleme, at the same time opening and issuing forth a little ichorous or puru lent matter. This will require fomentations, fre quent and long continued, and vinegar-and-water lotions in the intervals. Also apply the actual cautery, or a caustic composed of powdered blue vitriol and sulphuric acid, to the wound; and give the horse a strong dose of purgative medicine:— viz. one ounce of Barbadoes aloes, combined with
syrup of ginger. Should the swelling grow hard and insensible, it ought to be blistered.
The HEART, the organ by whose propellent power the blood is forced through the blood-vessels over every part of the body, is but rarely itself the seat of disease. Dropsy of the pericardium or heart bag is occasionally met with: it is mostly,I think, an accompaniment of hydrothorax.
The BLOOD-VESSELS are more the subject of dis ease. .8neurism has been met with: about half a dozen cases stand on record. is ra ther a familiar disorder. It consists in an enlarge ment or dilatation of the vein, which passes over the inner and anterior part of the hock; occasioned by the pressure and consequent partial obstruction in its canal, which the vein receives from a dropsi cal tumour (which is the same as a windgall) un derneath it; viz. one of the bursa mucosx, as they are called, or bags of joint-oil, which belong to the hock-joint. But a blood-spavin causes no pain or lameness, and therefore cannot be regarded but as an eyesore. Should it, on this account, be consi dered objectionable, the parts may be blistered; or lightly fired first, and blistered afterwards.
Diseases of the Organs of Respiration.
Of all sets of organs, these are the most prone to disease in animals in general, and particularly in horses and dogs; and of all the diseases those we are about to consider are the most insidious in their approach and progress; the most destructive in their effects. Every act of exertion you put the animal to, calls for " wind;" and it will depend on the soundness of these organs whether he can well or ill answer that call, and perfectly or imperfectly perform the act required of him.