628 THE HORSE 



is that the vein is obliterated, occasioning some disturbance to the circula 

 tion, especially when the head is held down, as it is at grass.^ 



The Treatment consists in cold applications as long as there is heat. When 

 the heat has subsided, and the vein remains enlarged, the biniodide of 

 mercur}' will procure the absorption of the new deposit, by rubbing it in as 

 recommended at page 630. 



FIRING 



The purpose for which the heated iron is employed is twofold ; first, 

 to produce immediate counter-irritation, by which the pre^'ious inflamma- 

 tion is reduced ; and secondly, to cause the formation of a tight compress 

 over the part, which is permanent. The blemish which it leaves, and the 

 pain which it occasions, both during and after the application of the irons, 

 should cause it to be avoided when any equally useful substitute can be 

 employed ; but, unfortunately, there are many cases where it stands without 

 a rival, as being at once the safest and the most efficient remedy which can 

 be adopted. Blisters and setons can be made to cause the same amount of 

 counter-irritation, but have not the same effect in producing pressure upon 

 the parts beneath. The pain of firing can be relieved entirely at the time 

 of the operation by chloroform ; but the subsequent smarting is quite as bad, 

 and this is beyond the reach of any anaesthetic. Independently, however, of 

 the interests of the master, it is also to the advantage of the horse to get 

 thoroughly cured ; for if he is not, he will either work on in misery, or he 

 will be consigned to the knacker's yard ; and, therefore, the adoption of the 

 most efficacious plan of treatment, even if somewhat the most painful, is the 

 best for both. 



Firing may be performed standing, by the use of the side line for the 

 hind-leg, or by fixing up one fore-leg when the other is to be operated on. 

 The firing-iron should have a smooth edge, about the thickness of a worn 

 shilling ; and it should be heated to the point when it shows a dull red in 

 the dark. When the disease for which the irons are used is slight, the skin 

 should not be penetrated ; but in bad cases, whei'e the mischief is great, and 

 particularly when it is wanted to have a good permanent bandage, the 

 cauterization must be deeper ; but this requires some practical knov,'ledge to 

 decide. The hair of the part should be cut very closely with the scissors, 

 or shaved ; then, having secured the leg, the ii'on is to be steadily but 

 rapidly passed in parallel lines over the skin, making just the proper pressure 

 which is required to burn to the requisite depth. A light brown mark 

 should be left, which shows that the proper effect has been produced ; and 

 the colour should be uniform, unless it is desired to penetrate deeper at 

 certain parts, which is sometimes practised with advantage. The lines are 

 sometimes made in a slanting direction round the leg, and at others straight 

 up and down ; but it is useless to describe the details of this operation, 

 which can only be learned by watching its performance by another hand. 

 Badly done firing is always an eyesore; but when the lines are evenly drawn, 

 and they have healed without any sloughs, caused by iri^egular or excessive 



1 It is not found in practice to interfere with the health of horses at grass, as col 

 lateral circulation is established and effectual. 



