128 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



fully practised it is not dangerous, even for articular cavities, and 

 considering the intensity of its action and its therapeutic value it 

 constitutes a great advance on old methods. The point, however, must 

 be extremely fine, those usually employed not exceeding one twenty- 

 fourth to one sixteenth of an inch in thickness. When of iron these 

 are difficult to make and to keep in order; platinum points like those 

 supplied with the zoo-cautery are preferable. The punctures are 

 best made in a regular design at intervals of about three eighths 

 of an inch. The method of procedure is important : the needle, 

 at a red heat, is sharply thrust to the required depth, and immediately 

 withdrawal. There is no disadvantage in passing the needle more than 

 once into fibrous or osseous tissues, — indeed, this is necessar}- to pro- 

 duce intense effects; but in dealing with synovial membranes the passage 

 of even a fine needle more than once is dangerous. On the other 

 hand, no bad results need be feared either from penetrating "a 

 joint or a synovial sheath, provided the puncture be made with a 

 single application. The minute channels are aseptic when made 

 with a red-hot instrument, and provided the needle be sufficiently 

 fine, and the operation completed with one movement, they remain 

 so. It is not necessary, however, in dealing w'ith dropsical synovial 

 sheaths that all the points should penetrate the sac ; as a rule one 

 actual puncture is sufficient. In other tissues two or three 

 punctures may be made. In certain cases the operation may be 

 terminated by the application of a blister. 



The emollient dressings formerly employed after firing appear in 

 the light of later experience to be contra-indicated, as they favour 

 suppuration, retard healing, and tend to increase the area of the 

 wounds and of the subsequent cicatrices. They should certainly not 

 be employed immediately after operation. When the inflammation of 

 the skin after firing is intense, antiseptic lotions or powders may be 

 employed. If, on the other hand, the reaction is insufficient, a blister 

 of biniodide of mercury or cantharides may be applied on the second 

 or third day after firing. 



The results of firing vary greatly according to the method 

 employed. A day after superficial firing considerable swelling and 

 more or less abundant exudation, especially from the lines or points, 

 will be observed. The liquid dries, forming yellowish-grey crusts, 

 covering the whole region. The horse has pain in moving, shows 

 marked lameness and intense local itching. As long as this continues 

 it must be closely watched, and care taken to prevent the parts being 



