« CAUTERIZATION—FIRING. gl 
are not uncommon. These are easily avoided by careful attention 
to the technic of the operation. 
More serious are the sloughs of skin and defective cicatrization, 
which are the results of excessive cauterization. When firing is 
followed by very severe inflammation, so that sloughing is threatened, 
care must be immedi- 
ately taken to prevent 
it. A fine cold spray, 
repeated often, is one of 
the best methods to 
use ; it cleans the region 
and removes the irrita- 
ting exudation, which 
increases the inflam- 
matory phenomena. 
Astringent lotions and 
compresses (white 
lotion, alum water) have 
their advocates. Tepid 
antiseptic irrigation, the 
Fig. 44.—Subcutaneous cauterizing. (Lanzillotti Buonsanti.) use of powders of io- 
i doform, alone or mixed 
with tannin, are preferable. Nocard gives preference to atomization 
ofiodoform ether: ‘‘ They stop the itching and prevent the microbic 
infection of the wounds.” Let us also mention, but proscribe 
entirely, the practice which some have of applying a blistering 
preparation to the inflamed surface. Hemorrhages following the 
puncture of a vein or artery with the heated needle are not danger- 
ous ; they stop of themselves, by pressure or the introduction of a 
small hemostatic, a piece of Cotton. Other lesions, suchas tendinous 
or cartilaginous quittors, arthritis, and synovitis, we have already 
shown how they are to be avoided. 
Subcutaneous cauterization, recommended for a long standing 
lameness of the shoulder or of the hip, has two principal steps. ‘ 
(Fig. 44.) 
‘t. Incision and detachmeni.-—After the hair has been shaved over 
the region to be operated upon, a vertical incision is made, 8 or 10 
centimeters long. Both cutaneous edges are loosened from the 
tissues underneath for a certain distance, and then separated from 
each other with spreaders, after being covered, for protection, with 
a wet cloth. 
2, Application of fring. Upon the exposed parts, a certain number 
of points, superficial, or more or less deep, is applied, following the 
same rules as for ordinary modes of cauterization. Fora superficial 
