MASSAGE. 675 



on no account be fired in a series of crossed lines ; for the isolated 

 portions of skin will be apt to slough, from having been deprived 

 of their proper blood-supply. Many good veterinary surgeons 

 consider it sound practice to rub in a blister, immediately after 

 firing. Although, out of deference to custom, I am inclined to 

 this opinion myself, I have never heard any sound argument 

 advanced in its favour. The conjecture may be, however, 

 hazarded, that the blister acts beneficially by being an anti- 

 septic, especially if its active principle is biniodide of mercury. 



If we do not blister after firing, it is advisable to apply a 

 saturated solution of iodoform in ether or in eucalyptus oil to 

 the part. 



The best form of puncture firing is that by fide-pointed needles 

 (p. 258), which can be heated in a fire or in a specially made lamp 

 (thermocautery). In order to avoid infection, these needles should 

 not be reapplied before they are again heated. Or we may use a 

 pear-shaped iron (Fig. 99, p. 261). 



Fomenting. 



A fomentation is strictly speaking, the application to the skin 

 of heat and moisture by some vehicle such as flannel or spongio- 

 piline. In stable parlance, bathing any part with warm water is 

 also called " fomenting." 



Fomentations over large surfaces, are best applied by dipping a 

 blanket or other woollen cloth in hot water, wringing it moderately 

 dry, applying it to the part, and then covering it with a water- 

 proof sheet or dry blanket. When the xmderneath blanket loses 

 most of its heat, it should be changed for another; care being 

 taken that the animal does not get chilled during the interval. 

 The fomentations should not be hotter than the hand can 

 comfortably bear. 



Hand-rubbing and Massage. 



It was stated in Chapter II. that the materials for building up 

 and repairing the various tissues of the animal body, are brought 

 to them by the blood in the arteries and capillaries ; and that 

 waste and inflammatory products are removed in the form of 

 lymph by the lymphatics, which pour their contents into the veins ; 

 the useless and hurtful constituents of the lymph being finally 

 expelled from the system chiefly by the lungs, kidneys and skin. 

 Any uiiduly long retention of these deleterious substances in the 

 body will naturally be followed by a corresponding loss of health. 

 In this respect, the products of inflammation need special attention, 



43* 



