FIRING. 



4G3 



hands may be not wanted to cast the horse ; but no person can fire accu- 

 rately, or -with the certainty of not penetrating the skin, except the 

 animal is effectually secured by the hobbles. Although accidents have 

 occiirred in the act of casting, yet many more have resulted to the operator, 

 the assistants, or the horse, in a protracted operation, when the side-line 

 only has been used. 



The coiiimun hobhhs, and the mode of fixing them ; also the seat oj several diseases, and 

 the different methods of firing, d'C. 



Enlargement of the flexor tendons, and 

 the vertical method of firing. 

 The seat of splint. 



The seat of ringbone. 



The seat of enlargement of the sus- 

 pensory ligament, and a mode of firing 

 for ditto. 



The seat of bone spavin, and a mode of 



firing for ditto. 



A curb, and another, though not an 



advisable, method of firing. 



The seat of capped Jioek. 



The seat of thorough-pin. 



The details of the operation belong to the veterinar}' surgeon. The 

 grand points to be attended to are to have the edge of the iron round and 

 smooth — the iron itself at, or rather below, a red heat — to pass it more or 

 less rapidly over the skin, and with slighter or greater pressure according 

 to the degree of heat — to burn into the skin until the line produced by the 

 iron is of a brown colour, rather light than dark, and, by all means, in 

 ordinary cases, to SiYoid penetrating the skin. Leaving out of the question 

 the additional cruelty of deep firing, when not absolutely required, we may 

 depend on it that if the skin is burned through, inflammation, and ulcera- 

 tion, and sloughing will ensue, that will be with much difficulty combated, 

 — that will unavoidably leave unnecessary blemish, and that has destroyed 

 many valuable horses. It may happen, nevertheless, that by a sudden 

 plunge of the animal the skin will be unavoidably cut through. The act 

 of firing requires much skill and tact, and the practitioner cannot be 

 always on his guard against the struggles of the tortured beast. It will, 

 also, and not unfrequently, occur that the skin, partially divided, will 

 separate in two or three days after the operation. This must not be attri- 

 buted to any neglect or unskilfulness of the surgeon, and the ulceration 



