FIEING. 673 



these vertebrae are thus injured, a troublesome wound will ensue. 

 The hsemorrhage can best be stopped by the application of a tail- 

 iron at a dull red heat. When it is laid on the wound, it should 

 be given a few half rotations, to increase its effiect. This instru- 

 ment is made cylindrical in shape, so that it may perform its work 

 of searing the bleeding vessels, without injuring the exposed bone, 

 which should find protection in the central opening of the iron. 

 After the application of the hot iron the part should be treated 

 antiseptically (p. 67 et seq.), so as to prevent the entrance of in- 

 fective germs, such as those of tetanus. An effective dressing, 

 which will also have the good effect of keeping away flies, is a 

 saturated solution of iodoform in eucalyptus oil, or tannoform 

 moistened with spirits. If the bleeding stops, the long hairs of 

 the tail may be left on for a few days as a protection and subse- 

 quently trimmed according to fancy. If the bleeding continues, 

 soak a pledget of cotton wool in strong tincture of iron, apply to 

 the wound, and keep it in place by drawing down the long hairs, 

 and tying a string tightly round them, so as to press the pledget 

 against the wound. This strong tincture of iron, which should be 

 renewed as may be required, is a good antiseptic styptic (stopper 

 of bleeding). As a rule, the operation of docking is not allowed 

 ■to interfere with the daily toil of working animals, such as omni- 

 bus horses j although a rest for a few days after the operation 

 would be kindness. 



Firing. 



This is the application of a hot iron to the skin. It is generally 

 useful in cases of curb, ringbone, old and troublesome splints, bone 

 spavin, and occasionally in cases of sprained back tendons and 

 suspensory ligaments after all inflammatory symptoms have left the 

 part. It does not appear to act very well in sidebone. 



It is surprising how few horses require to be cast for firing. 

 With good assistants, and a little patience, 80 per cent, may be 

 fired extensively while standing, which is much the more preferable 

 attitude for line firing, as the operator can then ensure the 

 regularity of the lines drawn. It is impossible, when the horse is 

 on the ground, to accurately allow for the alteration in position 

 which the skin will have undergone when he regains his feet. 

 Holding up one fore leg, and applying a twitch will generally be 

 sufficient for control. 



I trust none of my readers will be guilty of the not uncommon 

 barbarism of firing a horse " all round ; " of firing a sound leg to 

 make him " stand level," when an unsound leg has to be operated 

 upon; or of firing a sound limb as a preservative measure. The 



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