CAUTERIZATION—FIRING. = 87 
thickness of the skin and the extent of the region to be cauterized. 
Closed and superficial lines are preferable to those made far apart and 
deep. Generally they are separated by one to one and a half centi- 
meters. Once marked, firing must be made with the proper degree 
of heat. The cauteries, heated to a dark red or bright red heat— 
temperatura maxitma—should be slowly drawn over the lines, with- 
out pressure in lowering or raising the hand, according to the 
surface,—the instrument always held perpendicular to the skin, It 
should be drawn towards the operator or pushed away from him, 
but never contrary to the growth of the hair. It shouldnot be passed 
twice in succession over the same line ; the firing should be carried 
the whole extent of the region, beginning at one end, passing suc- 
cessively to the other, and returning to the starting point. In this 
way, one may avoid the destroying effect of the heat. When the 
surface is small, one should proceed slowly and leave a little time 
between the applications of the instrument. 
What are the signs which indicate that the firing is sufficient? 
The aspect of the bottom of the lines, the exudation which takes 
‘place, the state of infiltration of the skin and the more or less 
marked rise of the epidermis, almost always tell exactly, providing 
the operation has been performed according to the established rules. ° 
There are three degrees of firing. According to the first, the lines, 
not deep, have a few drops of serosity oozing from their borders ; 
their bottom is slightly yellow; the skin slightly infiltrated; the 
epidermis still adherent. According to the second, the lines are 
deeper ; their bottom a clear yellow; the oozing of serosity greater ; 
the epidermis is easily raised. According to the third, the skin is 
almost entirely cut through; the edges of the lines have a tendency 
to separate widely and may leave ugly cicatrices; their bottom is 
straw yellow, filled with abundant serosity ; often the skin is covered 
with little blisters. The cautery, heated to a bright red color, 
should be carried along each line five or six times for a light firing, 
eight or ten for an ordinary, from twelve to fifteen for a strong 
cauterization. These numbers, of course, will vary with the weight 
and the temperature of the instrument, the dexterity of the operator, 
and the condition of the skin. 
Superficial point cauterization may be performed in many regions 
standing. The points are placed in a quincunx. In general, points 
and lines are separated by thesamespace. They can be made closer 
at the places where the firing is to be more severe. 
The application of the points is repeated according to the intended 
strength of the firing. As in line-firing, the strength is recognized 
by the color of the skin at the bottom of the points, by the quantity 
of serosity thrown out, by the condition of the epidermis between 
the points. To apply the pointed cauteries once or twice only and 
