

DISEASES OF THE BONES. 423 



The Pyro-Puncturing Process. 



The method of firing now found to be most effective fbf this dif- 

 ficulty, and that used most generally by the best practitioners, is the 

 pyro-puncturing process. It is much easier done, more simple, not 

 so liable to blemish, and far more effective. I give two forms of 

 iron ; one representing about three sixteenths of an inch, the other 

 , about an eighth of an inch or less, in diameter. The rule is, the larger 

 the iron the farther apart must the holes be made, and the smaller 

 the iron the closer together. The principle is to make the punct- 

 ures as near as can be 1 done safely without producing so much in- 

 flammation as to cause the skin to- break or slough between them. 

 The average distance apart is from three, fourths 

 to one inch for the larger iron, and half an inch 

 for the smaller iron, observing not to go near 

 the vein. 



If the horse is valuable, it is best to use the] 

 smaller iron, as there is less danger of blemish- 

 ing. The part of the iron used should be suf- 

 ciently long to, enable puncturing as deep as de- 

 sirable. I give illustrations of two such irons ; 

 one representing the round part drawn out with 

 considerable bulb behind to give sufficient body 

 to. retain heat ; the other a bulb of iron with a 

 hole punched, into which is fitted a piece of Fja 724>— Dots Show- 

 steel or iron wire of suitable size. These fine- infl Usual Number and 

 pointed irons for pyro-puncturing should be caion-o una urea 



used only when at a white heat, and never when 

 cooled to a red heat. The reason for this is that there is much 

 less pain felt when the iron is at a white heat, as the sensibility is 

 almost immediately destroyed. It is desirable to have three, or 

 four irons heating at once, so as to be sure of having one continually 

 at white heat. 



The method of using it is to barely touch the skin at first, to 

 mark the points to be punctured, which should be extended out 

 some little distance beyond the line of enlargement or immediate 

 seat of trouble (as shown }n Fig. 724). Then repeat, burning much 

 deeper each time, until the holes are made to a depth of about three 

 eighths of an inch, more or less, according to the severity of the 

 case. Where there is much enlargement, f penetrate to the bone 

 proper over that part. When the "firing is complete, rub on thor- 

 oughly a strong blister. The following simple Spanish-fly blister 

 is good': — 



