FlRINa 325 



must not be attributed to any neglect or unskilfulness of the surgeon, and 

 the ulceration thus produced will be slight, and easily treated, compared 

 with that caused by the actual burning through of the skin. 

 * Some practitioners blister immediately after firing. As a general usagv^ 

 it is highly to be reprobated. It is wanton and useless cruelty ; but it may 

 be required in bony tumours of considerable extent, and long standing, and 

 interfering materially with the action of the neighbouring joint. Spavin, 

 accompanied by much lameness, and ring-bone spreading round the 

 coronet, and involving the side cartilages, or the pastern-joint, may justify 

 it. The inflammation is rendered more intense, and of considerably 

 longer duration. In old affections of the round bftne it may be admitted, 

 but no excuse can be made for it in slighter cases of sprain, or weakness, 

 or staleness. 



On the day after the operation, it will be prudent gently to rub some 

 neat's-foot oil or lard over the lines. This will soften the skin, and render 

 it less likely to separate or ulcerate ; a bandage would add to the irritation 

 of the part. Any cracks of the skin, or ulceration that may ensue, must 

 be treated with the calamine ointment already recommended. 



It will be evident that there is an advantage derived from firing to which 

 a blister can have no pretension. The skin, partially destroyed by the 

 iron, is reinstated and healed, not merely by the formation of some new 

 matter filling up the vacuity, but by the gradual drawing together and 

 closing of the separated edges. The skin, therefore, is lessened in surface ; 

 it is tightened over the part, and it acts as a salutary and permanent 

 bandage. Of the effect of pressure in removing enlargements of every 

 kind, as well as giving strength to the part to which it is applied, we have 

 repeatedly spoken; and it is far from being the least valuable effect of the 

 operation of firing, that by contracting the skin, it affords a salutary, 

 equable, and permanent pressure. It was on this principle, but the practice 

 cannot be defended, that colts which were not very strong on the legs, 

 used to be fired round the fetlock, and along the back sinews, or over the 

 hock, to brace and strengthen the parts. It is on the same principle that a 

 racer or a hunter, that has become stale and stiff, is sometimes fired and 

 turned out. For whatever reason the horse is fired, he should, if practica- 

 ble, be turned out, or soiled in a loose box, for three or four months at least. 

 The full effect intended to result from the external irritation is not soon 

 produced, and the benefit derived from pressure proceeds still more 

 slowly. In the thickened and tender state of the skin, and the substance 

 beneath, for some weeks after firing, a return to hard work would be likely 

 to excite a new inflammation, and cause even worse mischief than that 

 which before existed. 



Some weeks pass before the tumefied parts begin to lessen, and they only 

 who have had experience in these cases would imagine how long, with gentle 

 voluntary exercise, the process of absorption is carried on. He, therefore, 

 who would expect that much good should accrue from the operation of 

 firing, must be content to give up his horse for three or four months; but 

 if he will use him sooner, and a worse lameness should follow, let him 

 blame his own impatience, and not the inefficiency of the means, or want of 

 skill in the surgeon. 



The firing in every case should be either in longitudinal or parallel 

 lines. On the back sinews, the fetlock, and the coronet, this is peculiarly 

 requisite, for thus only will the skin contract so as to form the greatest and 

 most equable pressure. 



The practitioner may pride himself in the accuracy of his diamonds, 

 hzenges, and feathers, but plain straight lines, about half an inch from each 



