HfilNG. 245 



the motion of the hand is to be slower. It 

 maybe known when the instrument is ap- 

 plied snfficiently hot, by its leaving a whi- 

 tish or scorched line upon the skin, but on 

 no occasion should the skin be penetrated of 

 divided by the iron. Several irons should 

 be employed, that the operator may be 

 constantly supplied with one sufficiently 

 hot. When this operation is properly per- 

 formed, the absorbent vessels have their ac- 

 tion considerably increased, and are thereby 

 enabled to remove any c.llous or boney sub- 

 stances which may hayo been formed about 

 the joints or tendons, in consequence of 

 strains or hard work. It is said also to con- 

 tract the skin so as to make it act as a ban- 

 dage to the subjacent parts. The day after 

 the operation, it is advisable to apply a mild 

 blister to the part. Firing, though a severe 

 and painful operation, is often very effica- 

 cious, and the only one we are acquainted 

 with for removing callous or boney swell- 

 ings, vvhxh occasion lameness by impeding 

 tiie action of joints or tendons ; but is too 

 frequently made use of when milder reme- 

 dies may be employed with sr.ccess. The 

 praciice of firing colts, with a view \o 



M 3 



