FIRING 293 



operation of firing requires both tact and skill ; and 

 even with the best operators, 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 effects very difficult to cure, 

 besides leaving unsightly blemishes. 



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 

 affections of the round-bone ; but in less serious 

 complaints it is a piece of great cruelty. 



The day after the operation of firing, the part 

 should be rubbed with lard, or, what is still better, 

 neats'-foot oil. This will give a pliability to the skin, 

 and render it less liable to separate or ulcerate ; but if 

 cracks or ulceration take place, then calamine ointment 

 must be applied to it. The composition of this 

 ointment will be found amongst the medicines in the 

 following chapter. A bandage must not be used, as 

 it would prove injurious by irritating the part. 



There can be little doubt of the superiority of firing 

 over blistering. The skin being partially destroyed by 

 the iron, is restored, and the surface lessened by its 

 being drawn together, which acts as a kind of bandage, 

 and consequently tightens and binds the whole parts ; 



