SETONS. 4G5 



Burface. It is tiglitencd over the part, and it acts, as just described, as a 

 salutary and permanent bandage. Of the effect of pressure in removing 

 enlargements of every kind, as well as giving strength to the part to 

 which it is applied, we have repeatedly spoken, and it is far from being the 

 least valuable effect of the operation of firing, that, by contracting the 

 skin, it affords a salutary, equable, and permanent pressure. It was on 

 this principle, but the practice cannot be defended, that colts which were 

 not very strong on the legs, iised to be fired round the fetlock, and along 

 the back sinew, or over the hock, in order to brace and strengthen the 

 parts. It is on the same principle that a racer or hunter, that has become 

 stale and stiff, is sometimes fired and tui'ned out, For whatever reason 

 the horse is fired, he should, if practicable, be turned out, or soiled in a 

 loose box, for three or four months at least. The full effect intended to 

 result from the external irritation is not soon produced, and the benefit 

 derived from pressui'e proceeds still more slowly. In the thickened and 

 tender state of the skin, and the substance beneath, a return to hard work 

 for some weeks after firing would be likely to excite new inflammation, 

 and cause even worse mischief than that which before existed. 



Some weeks pass before the tumefied parts begin to contracf^— and they 

 only who have had experience in these cases can imagine how long — with 

 gentle voluntary exercise, the process of absorption is carried on. He 

 ^vho would expect that much good should accrue from the operation of 

 firing must be content to give up his horse for tkree or foui- months ; but 

 if he will use him sooner, and a worse lameness should follow, let him 

 blame his own impatience, and not the inefficiency of the means, or the 

 want of skill in the surgeon. 



The firing in every case should be either in longitudinal or obhque lines. 

 On the back sinews, the fetlock, and the coronet, this is peculiarly re- 

 quisite, for thus only will the skin contract so as to form the greatest and 

 most equable pressui'e. 



Some practitioners may pride themselves on the accuracy of their 

 diamonds, lozenges, and feathers, but plain straight Hues, about half an 

 inch from each other, will constitute the most advantageous mode of filing. 

 The destroying of deeply-seated inflammation, by the exciting of violent 

 inflammation on the skin, is as well obtained ; and common sense will 

 determine, that in no way can the pressure which results from the con- 

 traction of the skin be so advantageously employed — to which may be 

 added, that it often leaves but slight blemish. 



SETONS 



Are pieces of tape, passed, by means of an instrument resembling a large 

 flat and thin needle, either through abscesses, or the base of ulcers with 

 deep sinuses, or between the skin and the muscular or other substances 

 beneath. They are retained there by the ends being tied together, or by 

 a knot at each end. The tape is moved in the wound twice or thrice in 

 the day, and occasionally wetted with some digestive fluid or ointment, 

 in order to increase the inflammation which it produces, or the discharge 

 which is intended to be established. 



In abscesses, such as occur in the withers or the poll, when passed from 

 the summit to the very bottom of the swelling, setons are highly usefuL 

 by discharging the purulent fluid, and suffering any fresh quantity of it 

 that may be secreted to flow out ; and by the degree of inflammation 

 which they excite on the interior of the tumour, stimulating it to throw 

 out healthy granulations, which, gradually occupy and fill the hollow. In 

 deep fistulous wounds they are indispensable, for except some channel is 

 made through which the matter may flow from the bottom of the 



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