766 



DISEASES AND THE1E TEEATMENT. 



apart at the top, and not drawn deeply. Lay the edge where 

 desired to start from, and draw steadily and gently to the bootom. 

 Then commence at the top and make cross lines, obliquely, about 

 half an inch apart. Start the point of the iron from the line at 

 the right or left, and draw toward the center, as shown in Fig. 664. 

 The skin should not be penetrated or cut through, as it would 

 leave a blemish. The cuticle is simply to be destroyed, and a dark 

 brown impression left upon the skin, from which there will exude 

 a glutinous substance soon after the operation. If the iron is red 

 or too hot, there will be great danger of burning through ; though 



FIG. 664. View of lines as they 

 should be made with feather- 

 firing-iron. 



FIG. 665. Bad method of firing. 

 The lines cover too small a 

 surface. 



if the operator is dextrous he can use it quite safely by drawing 

 it proportionately light and quick, but the work cannot be so well 

 done as with an iron that is of a dull red color, or quite dark at 

 the edge. With such an iron, if the first line is not drawn quite 

 deep enough it can be repeated until the right depth upon the 

 cuticle is obtained, which will be indicated by its color. If the 

 lines are drawn much nearer than half an inch, there will be 

 danger of sloughing, while if too far apart there will be propor- 

 tionately less inflammation produced. They should be of a cer- 

 tain depth and distance apart, and crossed as little as possible to 

 avoid breaking the skin. If this is done neatly, when the healing 

 process takes place, the creases formed by the iron will be drawn 



