214 The pARRiERi New Guide. Chap. LVI. 



And as the Fire becomes more ufeful in all fuch Intentions, 

 by removing fettled Obltruclions, fo it is of no lefs Impor- 

 tance in Ring-koneiy Quitter- bones. Scratches, and, in fine, 

 to loofen all grilly and horny Excrelcences that grow out 

 upon the Legs and Feet, or any other Part of the Body, 

 where, by fearing their Subllance, and piercing the Skin 

 near the Root orlnfertion, a Stop is put to the Humours 

 that nourifli them, fo that they are rnade to rot and fall off. 

 The Manner of ^^^^^(^^^ ^^7' ^^^^ three important Di- 

 giving the Fire, reaions in giving the Fire. Thcjirji is, not 

 to prefs too hard upon the Part. The fecondy 

 to let the Knife be red-hot, but not flaming. And the 

 Thirdy to heat the Knife or Inftrument in a Charcoal 

 Fire. The two firft of thefe Diredions are abfolutely ne- 

 ceflary, and the lad may be comply "d with according lo 

 the Artift's Conveniency. 



In all Griefs of the Sinev/s and nervous Parts, the Fire is 

 tobe very fparingly given, and a drawing Knife is certainly 

 the propereft Inftrument, tho* there are fome who make 

 life of a large Gold Coin, from a Conceit of its having 

 greater medicinal' Virtues than really 'belong to it. Some 

 Content themfelves with Silver, and there are others who 

 prefer Copper, from an Opinion of its being a Metal that 

 refifts Putrefadion ; and among thefe is our laft mentioned 

 Author. But moft of our Englijh Farriers make ufe of 

 Iron Inftruments in all their cauterizing Operations, which, 

 if they be fmooth and well polifti'd, are as good as any,' 

 and in this it is fufficient that they have the Example of moft 

 Surgeons for their Authority. 



The Knife fliould be rounded on the Edge, and pretty 

 thick, that it may keep the Heat as long as poflible ; it 

 ought alfo to be heated in a very clear Fire (if a Charcoal 

 Fire cannot be had) and afterward rubb'd upon a woollen 

 Cloth, that no Dirt or Afliestnay ftick to it, and until the 

 flaming Rednefs is wore quite off ; then the Farrier murt, 

 with a fteady, dexterous, and light Hand, draw his Lines 

 orRafes oneachfide the Joint or Smew, always following 

 the Courfe of the Hair, without making crofs Lines, for, 

 befides that they are of no Importance in the Cure, they 

 caufe a very great Deformity. A due Care muft alfo be 

 had, never to pierce the Skm, but rather repeat the Strokes 

 theoftner, until it becomes the Colour of a pale Cherry; 

 for it the Fire happens to touch the Sinews, it will be apt to! 

 caufe Convulfions ; and if the liorfc furvive thefe Diforders, 

 h2 r::ay hereafter become jr.rtcoverably la.nie^ 



But 



