For the puncture there will be needed a sterile canula, or infusion needle, with a piece of rubber tubing attached; a sterile receptacle for the blood, usually a 1000 cubic centimetre, graduated measuring-glass; both dry and alcohol sponges or cotton pledgets; adhesive plaster, or a bandage to hold in place the small dressing which is applied after the needle is withdrawn; and a tourniquet for tight application to the upper arm to impede the return of the venous blood and thus distend the large vein to be seen near the surface of the inner curve of the arm. This vein usually may be easily pierced, without incising the skin, the canula pointed toward the hand to meet the blood stream, after which the tourniquet is removed. Sometimes it is necessary to incise the skin in order that the vein may be exposed and the needle inserted into it directly. In this case the doctor will need, in addition to the articles already mentioned, a scalpel, a pair of tissue forceps, three or four artery clamps, a needle holder, skin needles and sutures. A venesection is practically always followed by a drop in the blood pressure and a marked improvement in the general condition. _Infusions_, or subcutaneous injections of saline solutions, are also frequently given to eclamptic patients with beneficial results. About 1000 cubic centimetres at 105° F. is introduced slowly into the tissues, and the solution may be normal saline, consisting of two drams of common salt to a litre of distilled water, filtered and sterilized; or possibly one containing five grains each of sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride to the litre. The articles necessary, in addition to the soap and solutions for cleaning up the skin, are a small rubber to protect the bed; three or four sterile towels; a flask of the solution at 105° F.; sterile infusion bottle, or can, with rubber tubing fitted with a piece of glass tubing at some point in its length, through which the flow of the solution may be watched, a stopcock, and an infusion needle (I cannot refrain from cautioning the nurse to be sure that the tubing does not leak; is not collapsed and stuck together at any point along its length, and that the needle is sharp, free from rust and contains a wire as evidence of not being clogged); two hot water bottles about half full, with air expelled; a pole or stand upon which to hang the bottle; a package of gauze sponges, or squares, and narrow strips of adhesive. The fluid is usually introduced between the breast tissues and underlying muscles; the area to scrub up in preparation being just below the breast, where the curve begins, and toward the axilla. The bottle which contains the solution should be stoppered with sterile cotton, or, if a can, covered with a sterile towel, and hung between the hot water bottles, to keep the fluid warm, and held in place with a towel pinned around them, top and bottom. (Fig. 49.)