324 THE HORSE. 



nearly cold, and the clean mucilaginous fluid then poured off. Three- 

 quarters of a pound of Epsom salts should also be given, dissolved in a 

 quart of water, and after that, a ball every six hours, composed of a scruple 

 of opium, and a drachm of camphor, with linseed meal and treacle. 



Half a pound or a pound of good mustard powder, made into" a paste 

 with boiling water, and applied hot, will often produce as good a blister as 

 cantharides, with far xuore swelling. It is a preferable one, where, as in 

 inllammation of the kidneys, the effect of cantharides on tlie urinary organs 

 is feared. Hartshorn is not so effectual. Tincture of croton makes an 

 active liquid blister. 



FIRING. 



Whatever seeming cruelty may attend this operation, it is, in many cases, 

 indispensable. Tiie principle on which we have recourse to it is similar 

 to that which justifies the use of a blister; by producing superficial inflam- 

 mation we may be enabled to remove a deeper-seated one, or we may excite 

 the absorbents to take away any unnatural bony or other tumour : it has 

 also this additional advantage, that, while it raises intenser external inflam- 

 mation than we can produce by other means, it is the most powerful agent 

 that we have at our disposal. Humanity, however, will dictate, that on 

 account of inflammation which it excites, and the pain which it inflicts, it 

 should only be had I'ecourse to when milder means have failed, except in 

 those cases in which experience has taught us that milder means rarely 

 prove successful. 



The part which is to be submitted to the operation is shaved, or the hair 

 is cut from it as closely as possible with the trimming scissors. This is 

 necessary to bring the iron into immediate contact with the skin, and like- 

 wise to prevent the smoke that will arise from the burned hair from ob- 

 scuring the view of the operator. The horse must then be thrown. This is 

 absolutely necessary for the safety both of the operator and the animal. 

 The side line is applied in a shorter time, and so many hands are not 

 wanted to cast the horse ; but no persons can fire accurately, or with the 

 certainty of not penetrating the skin, except the horse is effectually secured 

 by the hobbles; and although accidents have occurred in the act of throw- 

 ing, yet many more have resulted to the operator, the assistants, or the 

 horse, in a protracted operation like this, when the side-line only has 

 been used. 



The details of the operation belong to the veterinary surgeon. The 

 grand points to be attended to are to have the edge of the iron round and 

 smooth; the iron itself at, or rather below red heat; to pass it more or less 

 rapidly over the skin, and with slighter or greater pressure, according to the 

 degree of heat; to burn into the skin until the line produced by the iron 

 is of a brown colour, rather light than dark, and by all means avoid pene- 

 trating the skin. Leaving the additional cruelty of deep firing out of the 

 question, we may depend on it that, if the skin is burned through, inflam- 

 mation, and ulceration, and slougiiing will ensue, which will be with much 

 (iilRculty combated; which will unavoidably leave unnecessary blemish, 

 and which have destroyed many valuable horses. It may happen, never- 

 theless, that by a sudden plunge of the animal, the skin will be unavoida- 

 bly cut through. The act of firing requires much skill and tact, and the 

 practitioner cannot be always on his guard against the struggles of the 

 tortured beast. It will, also, and not unfrequently occur, ihat tlie skin, pai • 

 tially divided, will separate in two or three days after the operation. 'I'his 



