436 SETONS. 



reinstated and healed, not merely by the formation of some new matter filling 

 up the vacuity, but by the gradual drawing together and closing of the sepa- 

 rated edges. The skin, therefore, is lessened in surface. It is tightened over 

 the part, and it acts, as just described, as a salutary and permanent bandage. 

 Of the effect of pressure in removing enlargements of every kind, as well as 

 giving strength to the part to which it is applied, we have repeatedly spoken , 

 and it is far from being the least valuable effect of the operation of firing, that, 

 by contracting the skin, it affords a salutary, equable, and permanent pressure. 

 It was on this principle, but the practice cannot be defended, that colts which 

 were not very strong on the legs, used to be fired round the fetlock, and along 

 the back sinew, or over the hock, in order to brace and strengthen the parts. 

 It is on the same principle that a racer or hunter, that has become stale and 

 stiff, is sometimes fired and turned out. For whatever reason the horse is fired, 

 he should, if practicable, be turned out, or soiled in a loose box, for three or 

 four months at least. The full effect intended to result from the external irri- 

 tation is not soon produced, and the benefit derived from pressure proceeds still 

 more slowly. In the thickened and tender state of the skin, and the substance 

 beneath, a return to hard work, for some weeks after firing, would be likely to 

 excite new inflammation, and cause even worse mischief than that which 

 before existed. 



Some weeks pass before the tumified parts begin to contract, and they only, 

 who have had experience in these cases, can imagine how long, with gentle 

 voluntary exercise, the process of absorption is carried on. He who would 

 expect that much good should accrue from the operation of firing, must be con- 

 tent to give up his horse for three or four months ; but if he will use him sooner, 

 and a worse lameness should follow, let him blame his own impatience, and not 

 the inefficiency of the means, or the want of skill in the surgeon. 



The firing in every case should be either in longitudinal or parallel lines. 

 On the back sinews, the fetlock, and the coronet, this is peculiarly requisite, 

 for thus only will the skin contract so as to form the greatest and most 

 equable pressure. 



Some practitioners may pride themselves on the accuracy of their diamonds, 

 lozenges and feathers, but plain straight lines, about half an inch from each 

 other, will constitute the most advantageous mode of firing. The destroying 

 of deeply seated inflammation, by the exciting of violent inflammation on the 

 skin, is as well obtained ; and common sense will determine, that in no way 

 can the pressure which results from the contraction of the skin be so advan- 

 tageously employed — to which may be added, that it often leaves not the 

 slightest blemish. 



SETONS 

 Are pieces of tape or cord, passed, by means of an instrument resembling a 

 large needle, either through abscesses, or the base of ulcers with deep sinuses, or 

 between the skin and the muscular or other substances beneath. They are 

 retained there by the ends being tied together, or by a knot at each end. The 

 tape is moved in the wound twice or thrice in the day, and occasionally 

 wetted with spirit of turpentine, or some acrid fluid, in order to increase the 

 inflammation which it produces, or the discharge which is intended to be 

 established. 



In abscesses, such as occur in the withers or the poll, and when passed from 

 the summit to the very bottom of the swelling, setons are highly useful, by dis- 

 charging the purulent fluid and suffering any fresh quantity of it that may be 

 secreted to flow out ; and, by the degree of inflammation which they excite on 

 the interior of the tumour, stimulating it to throw out healthy granulations which 



