292 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



diminishes the complaint. Blistering in cold wintry 

 weather must be done with great caution, because if 

 the part should be exposed to cold it is very likely to 

 end in grease. Blistering all round the limbs is not 

 only a cruel but a dangerous practice, and ought never 

 to be resorted to. 



FIRING. 



We cannot contemplate the use of firing without 

 associating with it a degree of cruelty ; but in many 

 cases it must be had recourse to as the only method 

 of removing the complaint. The principle on which 

 firing is adopted is by exciting some superficial parts, 

 and thereby, by counter-irritation, relieving deeply- 

 seated inflammatory action. This strong remedy has 

 also the effect of exciting the absorbents to carry off 

 bony matter which is apt to be deposited in the limbs. 

 In short, it is the most powerful stimulating agent 

 with which we are acquainted ; but should never be 

 had recourse to, except when there is no chance of 

 milder remedies being effectual. 



When it becomes necessary to fire a part, the hair 

 is clipped as close as possible, and afterwards shaved, 

 so that the iron may come into immediate and close 

 contact with the part, as also to prevent the smoke 

 arising from singeing the hair, obscuring from sight 

 the part requiring to be operated upon. In some 

 cases it is absolutely necessary to throw the horse, not 

 only for his own safety, but also for that of the 

 operator. And to prevent the animal from using 

 violent exertions, the hobbles, mentioned at page 283, 

 must be used. 



As this is an operation which ought never to be 

 attempted but by a veterinary surgeon, we shall not 

 descend to the details of how it is performed. The 



