214 TheTAKKnR*s NewGuide. Chap. LVL 



And as the Fire becomes more ufeful in all fuch Intentions, 

 by removing fettled Obftructions, fo it is of no lefs Impor- 

 tance in Ring-bcnes, Quitter- bones, Scratches ^ and, in fine, 

 to loofen all grilly and horny Excrefcences that grow out 

 upon the Legs and Feet, or any other Part of the Body, 

 where, by fearing their Subitance, and piercing the Skin 

 near the Root or Infertion, a Stop is put to the Humours 

 that nouriih them, fo that they are made to rot and fall off. 

 The Manner of Sclleyfell lays down three important Di- 

 fi'ving the Fire, re^^'^ions in giving the Fire. The firjl is, not 

 to prefs too hard upon the Part. T he fecond^ 

 to let the Knife be red-hot, but not flaming. And the 

 Thirdy to heat the Knife or Inftrument in a Charcoal 

 Fire. The two firft of thefe Diredions are abfolutely ne- 

 Cefiary, and the laft may be comply'd with according to 

 the Artift's Conveniency. 



In all Griefs of the Sinews and nervous Parts, the Fire is 

 tobevery fparingly given, and a drawing Knife is certainly 

 the propereft Inftrument, tho* there are fomc who make 

 ufe of a large Gold Coin, from a Conceit of its having 

 greater medicinal Virtues than really belong to it. Some 

 content themfelves with Silver, and there are others who 

 prefer Copper, from an Opinion of its being a Metal that 

 refifts Putrefaction j and among thefe is our laft mentioned 

 Author. But moft of our Englijh Farriers make ufe of 

 Iron Inftruments in all their cauterizing Operations, which, 

 if they be fmooth and well polifh'd, are as good as any, 

 and in this it is fufficient that they have the Example of moft 

 Surgeons for their Authority. 



The Knife ftiould be rounded on the Edge, and pretty 

 thick, that it may keep the Heat as long as poflible ; it 

 ought alfo to be heated in a very clear Fire (if a Charcoal 

 Fire cannot be had) and afterward rubb'd upon a woollen 

 Cloth, that no Dirt or Afhes may ftick to it, and until the 

 flaming Rednefs is wore quite off ; then the Farrier muft, 

 with a fteady, dexterous, and light Hand, draw his Lines 

 orRafesoneachfide the Joint or Sinew, always following 

 theCourfe of the Hair, without making crofs Lines, for, 

 befides that they are of no Importance in the Cure, they 

 caufe a very great Deformity. A due Care muft alfo be 

 had, never to pierce the Skin, but rather repeat the Strokes 

 the oftner, until it becomes the Colour of a pale Cherry ; 

 for if the Fire happens to touch the Sinews, it will be apt to 

 caufe Convulfions ; and if the Horfe furvive thefe Diforders, 

 ije may hereafter become irrecoverably lame. 



But 



