162 PIEINfi. 



on the contrary, its effects are speedy, and not attended with 

 very much suffering."* 



In veterinary practice, Eiriag is resorted to for the cure of 

 spavin, splint, curb, sprains of the tendons, side-bone, ring- 

 bone, debility of the limbs arising from excessive labour, and 

 other affections and maladies of an analogous character. 



It may prove advantageous to lay before the reader a con- 

 cise explanation of what I consider to be the effect and the 

 modus operandi of this agent. 



The effects of the actual cautery are of a threefold nature, 

 and of a character not difficult either to describe or under- 

 stand. The first effect which succeeds upon the application of 

 the hot iron (the immediate effect) consists in burning the 

 skin Its second (mediate) effect is that of inducing inflamma- 

 tion within the tissues cauterised. Its third (remote) effect 

 consists in permanently thickening the skin, and to a great 

 extent destroying its elasticity. The peculiar nature of the 

 effects produced hy the inflammatory process, thus excited and 

 established, mil depend upon the peculiar nature of the tissues 



When inflammation from the application of the actual 

 cautery is produced within the tissues composing bone, or im- 

 mediately contiguous thereto, the result is of a nature entirely 

 different from the effects produced within the muscular or 

 fibrous tissues from the operation of a similar cause. 



Take a case of spavin, as an example of the beneficial 

 influence which the actual cautery wiU. occasionally exert in 

 the cure of disease affecting the bony tissues of the body. 



Bone Spavin consists of inflammation and ulceration of the 

 articulatory surfaces of the smaU. bones of the hock ; and the 



* The Swrgeon's Vade Mecvm. By R. Dbuitt, (p. 636). Seventh edition. 

 London : John Churchill. 



