422 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



and distance apart, and crossed as little as possible, to avoid break- 

 ing the skin. If this is done neatly, when the healing process 

 takes place, the creases formed by the iron will be drawn together, 

 the hair grown dv.er, leaving no visible trace of the firing. After 

 the operation, the horse should be put in a box-stall. On the 

 following day a little grease, vaseline, or oil should be rubbed over 

 the part, which will keep it soft and prevent cracking. This may be 

 repeated at any time afjterward, should it appear too dry. Should 

 any of the cracks break and threaten to make a sore, dust on a little 

 of the magic healing powder, which will stop it immediately, un- 

 less ve,ry severe. No bandaging or any such means should be re- 



Fig. 732.— View of Lines as they Should Fio. 733.— Bad Method of Firing. The 



be Made with Feather-edged Firing-iron. Lines Cover too Small a Surface. 



sorted to. Simply see that the horse does not bite or rub the parts. 

 This method *of firing is the one that 1 has been most generally 

 used. It is very painful to the horse, and requires considerable 

 practice to do it well, although there is no particular sleight or se- 

 cret in doing it beyond making the lines cover rather a large surface, 

 and as near- each other as can safely be done without causing so 

 much inflammation as to extend across the division, and blemish by 

 breaking or destroying the skin between. . The next point is depth 

 of the firing. This can be learned reliably only by practice. The 

 deeper the firing, the more extensive the inflammation produced, 

 though in no case should it be carried deep enough to break the 

 skin, as this will surely cause a blemish, while in very slight firing 

 there will be proportionately less inflammation, and 'to that degree 

 less effective 



