168 OPERATIONS OX THE SKIN AND CELLULAR TISSUE. 



cauterized parts lias dried and the scabs have begun to slough, 

 the animal must be restrained from lying down, and biting or 

 rubbing himself, nor must this vigilance be relaxed, until the 

 dano-er of breaking up the surface of the wound has ceased, with 

 the temptation which was kept up by the continuation of the ii-ri- 

 tation, with the dropping off of the scabs and of the cicatrization. 

 There is no necessity for interference with the sloughing of the 

 scabs, or occasion for impatience to see them removed. After 

 a period of time, which varies according to the severity of the op- 

 eration, they will separate spontaneously, or with a Httle friction 

 of the parts, or washing with tepid water and soap. 



A question of some importance in connection with this oper- 

 ation, is that which refers to the use of oily or greasy substances 

 in the treatment of the cauterized surface. In times past this was 

 accounted to be good practice, and soothing embrocations were 

 recommended and freely employed, but this treatment has become 

 nearly, if not whoUy, obsolete. At the most, vesicating prepara- 

 tions are considered allowable, but even these only under special 

 conditions, as when the cauterization has not been sufficiently 

 strong. This practice is specially prevalent in the United States, 

 where the operations of firing and blistering are almost always as- 

 sociated. This combination has nothing objectionable, and in fact 

 is justified by the apprehensions and opposition existing among 

 Americans. Yet practitioners must always remember, that if 

 many cases where firing is indicated terminate unsatisfactorily, 

 after both firing and blistering, it is because the true and local 

 effects of the cauterization, by ordinary or strong firing, have not 

 been produced, when they were necessary to obtain good results. 

 The possibility of ugly cicatrices cannot be well avoided if proper 

 firing is to be depended upon. In view of the fact that the effects 

 of firing are not limited to those which visibly and immediately 

 appear on the surface of the skin, but that others of importance 

 are also to be anticipated, after a certain time, the question of the 

 duration of the rest necessary for the patient after the firing, be- 

 comes one of some importance. 



All written authoi'ities on the subject agree in sajing, that 

 this rest must be a long one, reckoning it by months, though in 

 some instances hght exercise, or even light work, may be allowed 

 sooner. Generally speaking, however, the surgeon will be guided 

 by the nature and history of his case, and especially by the extent 



