HOWELS AND SETONS. 



131 



through the external opening. We prepare a circular piece 

 of leather, rather larger than a crown-piece, with a round 

 aperture in the centre ; around the margin of this, prior to 

 its introduction, we lap a thin skein of tow. Some vete- 

 rinarians before they insert the rowel medicate the toAv, or dip 

 It into turpentine or blistering oil, some into digestive oint- 

 ment, &c. : there is no occasion for this, unless it be in a 

 case where the rowel is inactive and requires additional 

 stimulus. With a pair of rowelling scissors, we first slit 

 the skin sufficiently to admit of the finger, with which the 

 skin is detached from the subjacent parts, equally at every 

 side. Into the space thus made the rowel is inserted, and 

 should be turned every twelve, being dressed every twenty- 

 four hours, in case they require it. It is a bad sign in 

 disease when rowels begin to " dry up." 



ROWELLING SCISSORS. 



PREPARED ROWEL. 



The Insertion of a Seton requires more skill, and on 

 that account is an operation seldom practised by the farrier. 

 For the same reason that uneducated men dare not meddle 

 much with setons, some veterinarians seem to be over fond of 

 them, and to have persuaded themselves that these agents 



