204 



FIRING FOR SPAVIN. 



This is really all there is of this matter of firing. It does not mat- 

 ter, so far as it effects the cure, about the form of the lines ; but the 

 point is, the less the lines cross, or are broken, the less danger of 

 sloughing; and made as directed, obliquely, they draw the skin 

 shorter, and are thus a sort of a bandage upon the part, which of it- 

 self aids absorption. The principle of firirTg is the same for firing the 

 fore-legs, the form of the lines simply being different. For ringbone, 

 simply drawing the lines straight down, the same as the cut shows. 



It does but little or no good to fire over the enlargement only ; be- 

 cause not getting action enough, unless the surface is burned very 

 deep, which would leave a bad blemish. 



So far as medicine will cure, any of the spavin prescriptions under 

 that head in this chapter are among the very best. Some of them 

 are very active, and splendid in their action. The whole theory is to 

 produce a strong local inflammation, which must be kept up, or re- 

 newed often enough to cause a union in the bones involved ; we sim- 

 ply produce this necessary condition to help nature make a cure. It 

 is easy enough to compound medicine that will make the leg sore ; 

 but here, as in firing, dissolving the skin will leave a bad blemish, 

 and medicine should be used, that, while making a strong irritation, 

 will not destroy the skin. 



BLOOD SPAVIN, THOROUGH PIN, 



Soft enlargements upon the hock. If not of long standing, 

 the following will be found very 

 effective, though simple : Rub 

 on soft soap, to which has been 

 added a little salt, at night, and 

 wash off in the morning. Two 

 or three applications will cure, 

 if recently caused. If of long 

 duration, blister two or three 

 times, as for bone spavin. 



Thorough Pin. 



SPLINTS. 



This is an enlargement between 

 the cannon and splint bones, show- 

 ing itself on the inside of the fore 

 leg. The same treatment as for 

 spavin. 



Changes that may 

 be Produced. 



Splint 



