Firing and Blood Spavin 73 



try to remove the cause of irritation. If this can not be done it is well to 

 pad the sides of the stall. 



If the horse has capped elbow and is shod and if it is possible to 

 remove the shoes it is prudent to do so. Treatment should not be de- 

 layed. A lump of blood and water is much easier to scatter than one 

 of pus or fibrous tissue. 



My experience has led me to believe it is not wise to puncture such 

 places over a joint, for a joint is easily infected. Due to the flexing of 

 a joint such a wound is hard to heal. Most cases can be scattered when 

 in the form of blood and water by the following: 

 Spanish Fly, 1 part 

 Lard, 5 parts. 

 Apply every other day until scabs appear or the swelling is scattered. 

 Rub in well. 



For more advanced cases the following is better 

 Norway Tar, 4.5 parts 

 Tannic Acid, 1 part. 

 Apply the mixture to the swelling daily until removal of the hair. 



FIRING 



Firing is an old practice but with age it is one of the remedies 

 that has not lost any of its efficiency. The practice is superior to the 

 blister alone in such cases as ring bone, old sprains, side bones, all kinds 

 of old spavins anb such diseases. The operation is not as qruel as some 

 people are prone to believe, remember in firing that severity beyond 

 limited degree does not increase the efficiency of the operation. 



The only object is to cause irritation to induce the blood to cir- 

 culate in the diseased part. The firing points are heat to a while heat 

 in alcohol flame and 15 to 20 punctures are made in the skin. Before 

 performing the operation, clip the hair close. Apply a blister after 

 firing as follows: 



Red Iodide of Mercury, 1 part 



Lard, 5 parts. 



BLOOD SPAVIN 



Blood spavin is a swelling on the inside of the hock, and gives way 

 under pressure. The swelling occurs a little above the point of bog 



