90 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 
‘subcutaneous tissues are inflamed, and ‘in a state of hyperemia ; 
an abundant exudation infiltrates them, and an active cellular prolif- 
eration takes place in them; followed by resorption, induration 
and compression, and ultimate and salutary effects of the caloric 
action. : 
The effects of firing in deep points are more apparent than those 
of superficial cauterization. The swelling of the leg is often greater, 
although the serosity flows abundantly through the perforations 
of the skin. Applied in this manner, says Leblanc, ‘‘ firing leaves 
as many cicatrices on the skin and in the cellular tissue as there 
have been dots made. Those cicatrices, numerous and very close 
together, produce a good effect; they form a kind of permanent 
compressive bandage, far superior to any other.” Indeed, it is 
certain that the retraction of these little islands of inodular tissue 
have, through the medium of the skin, an active compressive effect 
upon the diseased tissues, analogous to that which would-be made 
with a solid elastic band. The care afterwards is the same in this 
as it is in superficial firing. : 
The phenomena following needle-firing vary according to the 
depth of the punctures and the nature of the tissues involved. But 
there is always a great inflammation of the cauterized region, the 
leg becomes much swollen, at times very hot and painful, and the 
animal is affected with a more or less marked reactive fever. When 
the firing has been applied upon a synovial tumor, ‘‘besides the 
serosity, synovia flows, sometimes in large quantities, which forms, 
upon and below the cauterized surface, a grayish yellow albuminous 
coat, running down the leg to the ground, and sometimes soiling 
the bedding.” : 
After two or three days, this serosity dries up, the holes become 
obliterated, and the flow stops. The crusts fall off during the 
second week, the eschars are eliminated towards the twentieth day, 
leaving in their stead little rosy cicatrices. The swelling of the 
tegion lasts sometimes very long ; exercise and massage accelerate 
its decrease. The hair grows quickly and covers almost entirely the 
hairless spots of the cauterization. This is one of the great advan- 
tages of the method. 
Whatever is the degree of firing or the mode used, a certain length 
of time for rest must be allowed to the animal operated upon. 
Generally after 8 or 10 days it may resume exercise, walking daily for 
20 or 30 minutes. A week or two later, it can resume work. A 
longer rest is advantageous, however, for tendinous lesions, some 
forms of spavin and other affections. 
Accidents of firing are common. The straight cautery may cut 
through the skin and give rise to a great separation between the 
lips of the line ; capillary hemorrhages and excoriations of the skin 
. 
