] 62 FIEING. 



on the contrary, its effects are speedy, and not attended with 

 very much suffering."* 



Piring in veterinary practice is resorted to for the cure of 

 Spavin, Splint, Curb, Sprains of the tendons, Side Bone, Ring 

 Bone, Debility of the limbs arising from excessive labour, and 

 other affections and maladies of an analagous character. 



It may prove advantageous to lay before the reader a concise 

 explanation of what I consider to be the effect and the modus 

 operandi of this agent. 



The effects of the actual cautery are of a threefold nature, 

 and of a character not difficult either to describe or understand. 

 The first effect which succeeds upon the application of the hot 

 iron (immediate effect) consists in burning the skin. Its 

 second effect (mediate effect) is that of inducing inflammation 

 within the tissues cauterised. Its third effect (remote effect) 

 consists in permanently thickening the skin, and to a great 

 extent destroying its elasticity. The peauliar nature of the 

 effects produced hy the infiammatory process^ thus excited and 

 established, ivill depend upon the peculiar naiure of the tissues 

 cauterised. 



"When inflammation from the application of the actual 

 cautery is produced within the tissues composing bone, or im- 

 mediately contiguous thereto, the result is of a nature entirely 

 different from the effects produced within the muscular or 

 fibrous tissues from the operation of a similar cause. 



Take a case of Spavin, as an example of the beneficial 

 influence which the actual cautery will occasionally exert in the 

 cure of disease affecting the bony tissues of the body. 



Bone Spavin consists of inflammation and ulceration of the 

 articulatory surfaces of the small bones of the hock ; and the 



* The Surgeon's Vade Mecum. By E. Druitt, (page 636). Seventh 

 edition. London : John Chiu'chill. 



