358 SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 



chloroform. The latter being found superior in its effects, the 

 former is therefore now discontinued. On applying a sponge 

 wetted with chloroform to the nostrils of a liorse, so that he 

 inhales the vapour for the space of some minutes, excitement is 

 first produced, which is soon afterwards followed by insensibility, 

 so that the animal exhibits no symptoms of pain on being sub- 

 mitted to severe operations. Several ounces of the fluid are 

 required before such effect is produced, but the torpor remains 

 for some time after the operation has ceased. The exhibition of 

 the chloroform requires care and tact, so that but little of the 

 vapour is allowed to escape externally, and yet the animal is not 

 altogetlier deprived of atmospheric air. In operations of some 

 little continuance, or of a very painful nature, such as cutting 

 out a tumour or castration, the assistance of chloroform is found 

 very serviceable. — Ed.] 



Firing. 



[The principal object of this operation is to produce consider- 

 able superficial inflammation, and thus, by counter-irritation, 

 to withdraw it from some deep-seated part. It also causes a 

 thickening, and contraction of the skin, and thus occasions, in 

 some degree, a permanent bandage. It produces considerable 

 pain, and leaves a blemish : it therefore should not be employed 

 unnecessarily, but when had recourse to, it should be done 

 effectually. 



This operation is sometimes performed standing, but generally 

 the horse is thrown, and indeed this plan is preferable. For 

 curbs, ringbones, and whenever the surface to be fired is incon- 

 siderable, and the animal is tolerably steady, we may fire stand- 

 ing, the horse being secured with the side line for the hind leg, 

 and one foot held up, when the fore leg is operated on. A 

 twitch should always be used. In other cases, the horse may 

 be cast, which is the safest method, and the legs secured in tlie 

 manner before stated. 



The firing iron should have a smooth round edge, nearly as 

 thin as the edge of an old shilling. The skin should never be 

 penetrated ; but the cuticle should be destroyed, and a dark 

 brown impression left on the skin, from which there will be a 

 glutinous exudation soon after the operation, when the iron has 

 been properly applied. The hair should be cut off from the 

 part previously to the operation, as closely as possible. 



Messrs. Turners advise for many cases to fire quite through 

 the skin, which they find far more effectual than the common 

 method. The irritation, by this plan, is kept up much longer, 

 and the benefit is greater, and it will no doubt succeed in re- 

 moving lameness in many cases when the usual plan will alto- 



