FIRING. 32^ 



must not be attributed to any neg-lect or unsldlfulness of the surgeon, and 

 the ulceration thus produced will be slight and easily treated, compared 

 with that caused by the actual burning through of the skin. 



Some practitioners blister immediately after firing. As a general 

 visao-e it is highly to be reprobated. It is wanton and useless cruelty ; but 

 it may be required in bony tumours of considerable extent, and long 

 standin"-, and interfering materially with the action of the neighbouring 

 joint. Spavin accompanied by much lameness, and ring-bone spreading 

 round the coronet, and involving the side cartilages, or the pastern joint, 

 may justify it. The inflammation is rendered more intense, and of consi- 

 derably longer duration. In old affections of the round bone it may be 

 admitted, but no excuse can be made for it in slighter cases of sprain or 

 weakness, or stalencss. 



On the day after the operation, it will be prudent gently to rub some 

 neat's foot oil, or lard over the lines. This will soften the skin, and render 

 it less likely to separate or ulcerate ; a bandage would add to the irritation 

 of the part. Any cracks of the skin, or ulcerations that may ensue, must 

 be treated with the calamine ointment already recommicnded. 



It will be evident that there is an advantage derived from firing to which 

 a blister can have no pretension. The skin, partially destroyed by the iron, 

 is reinstated and healed, not merely by the formation of some new matter 

 filling up the vacuity, but by the gradual drawing together and closing of 

 the separated edges. The skin, therefore, is lessened in surface ; it is 

 tightened over the part, and it acts 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, w^e have repeatedly 

 spoken ; and it is far from being the least valuable effect of the opera- 

 tion 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, used to be 

 fired round the fetlock, and along the back sinew, or over the hock, 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 turned 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 pressure proceeds still more slowly. In the 

 thickened and tender state of the skin, and the substance beneath, for some 

 weeks after firing, a return to hard work would be likely to excite a new 

 inflammation, and cause even worse mischief than that which before 

 existed. 



Some weeks pass before the tumified parts begin to lessen, and they 

 only who have had experience in these cases would imagine how long, 

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

 He, therefore, who would expect that much good should accrue from the 

 operation of firing, must be content to give up his horse for three or four 

 months ; but if he will use him sooner, and a worse lameness should fol- 

 low, 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 parallel 

 lines. On the back sinews, the fetlock, and the coronet, this is peculiarly 

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

 most equable pressure. 



The practitioner may pride himself in the accuracy of his diamonds, 

 lozenges and feathers, but plain straight lines, about half an inch from each 



