484 MATERIA MEDICA 



FENUGREEK. — Foenurn Grcecum. The seeds only of tins 

 plant are employed for medicinal purposes : on account of their 

 mucilaginous quality, they are used in making poultices, and 

 sometimes emollient glysters. Farriers often give them inter- 

 nallj', with what view I cannot pretend to say ; since they do 

 not appear to be adapted to the cure of any complaint. They 

 are eaten in the Levant, and considered stomachic. The pow- 

 dered fenugreek sold in the shops contains a large proportion 

 (generally one half) of pea meal. It is supposed, especially by 

 waggoners and the servants of large horse proi)rietors, to pro- 

 mote condition. 



FIRING. A severe operation, often performed on the horse, 

 and on some occasions highly useful. It consists in the applica- 

 tion of a red-hot iron to the skin, so as to burn without pene- 

 trating through it. The violent inflammation this occasions 

 rouses the absorbent vessels into action, by which callous or even 

 bony swellings are sometimes dispersed. The diseases In which 

 it is most efficacious are spavins, ring-bones, and old callous 

 swellings about the back sinews, in consequence of strains and 

 windgalls. Firing draws blood to the affected part, thickens 

 and strengthens it, and makes the skin act as a permanent 

 bandage. A blister is often applied to the part, Innnediately 

 after firing, or on the following day, to render it more effectual. 

 It is necessary to observe, that the milder remedies should be 

 tried before this severe operation is resorted to. 



It has been asserted, that when firing is employed for old 

 callous swellino;s of the back sinews, the swelling should be 

 previously reduced by blistering, and that firing will then pre- 

 vent any return of the complaint ; whereas, if the firing be 

 performed in the first place, it will tend to fix the swelling, 

 and render it incurable. I do not believe there is any ground 

 for this opinion. It is certain, however, that when a part is in a 

 state of inflammation, which is indicated by its being hotter and 

 more tender than other parts, firing will do harm. The inflam- 

 mation should be first removed by the frequent application of 

 some cooling lotion, such as diluted vinegar, in which a little 

 sugar of lead has been dissolved. 



The hot iron is the most effectual remedy for those ulcei's of 

 the skin which depend upon farcy or glanders. It is improperly 

 employed to remove that swelling of the roof of the mouth next 

 the upper front teeth, which is named lampas. See Lampas. 



FLAX-SEED. See Linseed. 



FLIES, SPANISH. See Cantharides. 



FLOUR. See Wheat Flour. 



FLOWERS, OR OXIDE, OF ZINC. — Oxidum Zhicl. 

 These, also, are obtained by sublimation from the metal named 



