Inflammation and Fever. 29 



lisliing a sympathetic healing process in the diseased part, 

 simultaneously with the work of recovery in the skin, when 

 the blister has spent its action. But if applied above a part 

 which is still violently inflamed, it is apt to seriously aggra- 

 vate that, through this same sympathy with the part suffer- 

 ing under the rising of the blister. In this way great 

 and irreparable injury is often done through the laudations 

 of particular blisters for the cure of given diseases, without 

 any reference to the stage or grade of such disease. The 

 value of a blister depends far more on the time of its appli- 

 cation than on the ingredients of which it may be com- 

 posed. A simple formula is as follows : Powdered can- 

 tharides, 2 drams ; morphine, 2 grains ; lard, 1 ounce. Mix. 

 Cut the hair close to the skin from the part to be blistered, 

 and rub in for two or three minutes against the direction of 

 the hair. The ointment must be rubbed in more energeti- 

 cally in winter than in summer, when the circulation in the 

 skin is freer and the oleaginous matters remain more liquid 

 and penetrating. For cattle, the addition of one dram 

 of oil of turpentine will usually be necessai-y. For sheep, a 

 mixture of equal parts of strong aqua ammonia and olive- 

 oil, well shaken together, and rubbed on the skin, will usu- 

 ally suffice. There is no need for removal of the wool. 



Firing. This acts in nearly the same manner as a blister, 

 and demands similar caution in its application. It is es- 

 pecially available in subacute and chronic diseases of the 

 joints, bones, and tendons, and may be made more or less 

 severe according to the nature and obstinacy of the disease. 

 It is applied in points or in lines at intervals of one-half to 

 one inch, and penetrating one-third, one-half, or entirely 

 through the skin. The hotter the iron the less the pain, 

 but the greater the danger of destruction of the inter- 

 vening skin by the excess of radiating heat. Hence the 

 contact of the heated iron with any one part must be 

 judiciously graduated to the heat of the iron and the deli- 



