664 OPERATIONS. 



extent of the blemish is of no consequence, the iron may be passed 

 through the skin, in which case, the lines should be a little wider 

 apart. Care should be taken, at parts wh^re there is flexion, such 

 as the front of the hock and back of the knee, not to fire too deeply, 

 lest a troublesome wound might be produced. Firing by lines is 

 the most convenient method for sprains of the back tendons, curbs, 

 ringbones, side-bones, and thorough-pins. The skin should on no 

 account be fired in a series of crossed lines; for the isolated por- 

 tions of skin will be apt to slough, from having been deprived of 

 their proper blood-supply. Many good veterinary surgeons consider 

 it sound practice to rub in a blister, immediately after firing. Ab 

 though, out of deference to custom, I am inclined to this opinion 

 myself; I have never heard any sound argument advanced in its 

 favour. I may, however, hazard the conjecture that the blister acts 

 beneficially by the fact of its being an antiseptic, especially if its 

 active principle is biniodide of mercury. 



If we do not blister after firing, it is advisable to apply a saturated 

 solution of iodoform in ether or in eucalyptus oil to the part. 



The best form of puncture firing is that by fine pointed needles 

 (p. 259), which can be heated in a fire or in a specially made lamp 

 (thermocautery). In order to avoid infection, these needles should 

 not be reapplied before they are again heated. Or we may use a 

 pear-shaped iron (Fig. 99, p. 261). 



Fomenting. 



A fomentation is, strictly speaking, the application to the skin 

 of heat and moisture by some vehicle such as flannel or spongio- 

 piline. In stable parlance, bathing any part with warm water is 

 also called "fomenting." 



Fomentations over large surfaces, are best applied by dipping a 

 blanket or other woollen cloth in hot water, wringing it moderately 

 dry, applying it to the part, and then covering it with a water- 

 proof sheet or dry blanket. When the underneath blanket loses 

 most of its heat, it should be changed for another ; care being 

 taken that the animal does not get chilled during the interval. The 

 fomentations should not be hotter than the hand can comfortably 

 bear. 



Hand-rubbing and Massage. 



We have seen in Chapter II. that the materials for building up 

 and repairing the various tissues of the animal body, are brought 

 to them by the blood in the arteries and caiDillaries ; and that 

 waste and inflammatory products are removed in the form of lymph 



