MODERN FARRIER. 119 



sinews, and in windgalls. For this purpose the 

 irons are used as already directed. It is the custom 

 with some farriers to apply a blister in these cases 

 before firing, in order to reduce the swelling; as 

 they suppose that firing, employed without this 

 precaution, v;ould tend to fix the swelling, and ren- 

 der it incurable. There is probably little foundation 

 for such an idea. 



4th, Firing is very frequently had recourse to by 

 way of a styptic, in stopping or checking profuse 

 bleedings, from accidental wounds, or surgical ope- 

 rations. The iron employed with this view has ge- 

 |nerally a rounded extremity, except in the operation 

 of docking, where an iron in the form of a ring is 

 generally employed. 



5th, Another use of firing is in wounds of the 

 joints, or other circumscribed cavities, where it is 

 employed to promote a kindly circulation, and con- 

 sequent granulation of healthy flesh. It has been 

 employed in these cases by Mr. Coleman, with con- 

 siderable success. 



6th, Firing has been found one of the most effec- 

 tual remedies in those superficial ulcers that accom- 

 ^pany farcy or glanders in the horse ; and. 



Lastly, The use of the hot iron has been found 

 he only certain means of preventing the dreadful 

 effects arising from the bite of a mad animal,- when 

 properly applied after cutting out the bitten part. 



69. Docking. 



This absurd and inhuman practice is thought to 

 lave originated in this country. The operation is 

 lever performed amongst the Arabians and other 

 astern nations. It is undoubtedly a strange in- 

 tance of prejudice and false taste to deprive horses 

 f such a fine ornament, which has evidently been 

 esigned by nature as a protection against flies, 

 nats, and innumerable other winged enemies, which 



