156 



LINEAE FIRING. 



and the application of burning pastilles (moxas) are now entirely 

 abandoned. 



The methods at present used are (I) superficial firing in the form 

 of points or lines, the instrument not passing deeper than the 



Fig. 212. Needle tirin 



with interchangeable needles 



epidermis itself ; (2) deep firing in fine points, where the skin is 

 penetrated at one or a number of spots ; (3) needle firing, in which 

 the instrument penetrates the muscle, tendon, ligament, bone or 

 synovial sac ; (4) subcutaneous firing, practised after the skin has 

 been divided with a knife. 



FlO. 213. — Degive's needle firing apparatus packed in box. 



The instruments used for line firing are provided with heads 

 resembling wedges or triangular prisms. The cauterising margin 

 should be slightly convex, smooth throughout and rounded at the 

 angles ; a slight curve in the stem is thought by some to be 

 advantageous. With instruments of this form it is easy to follow 



