246 VETERINARY OPERATIONS. 



121. Firing, as requiring the assistance of an experienced prac- 

 titioner, we shall not describe ; it will be prudent only to point out 

 that it is a more active mode of blistering ; and that it acts very 

 powerfully as a stimulant, not only while its effects last as blisters 

 do, but also after its escharotic effect is over, by its pressure ; and 

 in this way it is that it operates so favourably in bony exostosis, as 

 splints and spavins ; and in this way it is so useful in old ligamentary 

 weaknesses; because by lessening the dilatability of the skin it 

 becomes a continual bandage to the part. 



Clystering and Physicking. 



122. Clystering should always be preceded by back-raking, which 

 consists in oiling one hand and arm, and passing them up the fun- 

 dament, and by that means to remove all the dung balls that can be 

 reached. The large pewter syringe for clystering, is neither a useful 

 or safe machine. A much better consists in a turned box pipe, to 

 which may be attached a large pig or ox bladder, by which four or 

 five quarts of liquid can be administered at one time. (Vet. Pharm. 

 134, to 146.) The pipe should be previously oiled, by which means 

 it passes more easily : the liquor should then be steadily pressed up ; 

 and when the pipe is removed, the tail should be held down over 

 the fundament a little to prevent the return of the clyster. In some 

 cases of a spasmodic nature, as gripes and locked jaw, great force 

 is made by the bowels to return the clyster, and nothing but con- 

 tinued pressure over the fundament can enable it to be retained. 

 Clysters not only act in relaxing the bowels, but they may be used 

 as means of nutriment when it cannot be taken by the mouth ; as 

 in locked jaw, wounds of the mouth, throat, &c. &c. In locked 

 jaw, it was observed by Gibson, that he kept a horse alive many 

 days by clysters alone ; and by clysters also, many medicines may 

 be given more conveniently than by the mouth. 



123. Physicking of horses. It is equally an error to refrain 

 altogether from giving horses physic, as it is to give it on every 

 occasion, as some do. Neither is it necessary for horses to be bled 

 and physicked every spring and autumn, if they be in perfect 

 health, and the less so, as at this time they are generally weak and 

 faint from the change going on in their coats nor is it always 

 necessary to give to horses physic when they come from grass or a 

 straw yard ; provided the change from the one state to the other be 

 very moderately brought about. But on such a removal, it certainly 

 expedites all the phenomena of condition, (2) and such horses are 

 less likely to fall to pieces, as it is termed afterwards. (3.) In various 

 morbid states physic is particularly useful, as in worms, hide bound, 



