322 MAI^UAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



the iron may come into immediate and close contact with 

 the part, as also to prevent the smoke arising from singeing 

 the hair, obscuring from sight the part requiring to be ope- 

 rated upon. It is absolutely necessary to throw the horse in 

 operations of this kind, not only for his own safety, but also 

 for that of the operator. And to prevent the animal from 

 using violent exertions, the hobbles, mentioned at page 312, 

 must be used ; otherwise there is danger of penetrating the 

 skin, which ought never to be done in firing, otherwise 

 inflammation and ulceration will ensue. 



As this is an operation which ought never to be attempted 

 but by a veterinary surgeon, we shall not descend to the 

 details of how it is performed. The operation of firing 

 requires both tact and skill ; and even with the best opera- 

 tors, accidents will occur to the horse, in consequence of his 

 violent struggles, which it is impossible in some instances to 

 prevent, and the skin will be unavoidably cut through with 

 the iron ; but the accident cannot be fairly attributed to 

 the surgeon. The skin thus partially divided is sure to 

 separate in two or three days after the operation ; but the 

 ulceration which follows will be slight and easily cured, 

 when compared with the skin being actually burnt through 

 with the iron, as this is sure to be followed by violent 

 inflammation, ulceration, and sloughing, producing efi'ects 

 very difl[icult to cure, besides leaving unsightly blemishes, 

 and in some cases rendering the horse useless. 



It is the practice of some veterinary surgeons to blister 

 after firing. This is a most unjustifiable procedure, unless 

 in cases of large bony tumours, spavin with considerable 

 lameness, and ring-bone investing the entire coronet, and in 

 old and obstinate afi"ections of the round-bone ; but in les? 

 f.erious complaints it is a piece of great cruelty. 



Tlie day after the operation of firing, the part should be 



