SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES 157 



be used only on the chronic inflammatory affections of the 

 tendons and tendon sheaths after treatment with hydropathic 

 dressings, massage and blisters has proven ineffective, it may be 

 employed primarily in the aforementioned bone and deforming 

 articular inflammations, especially spavin, ring bone and splints. 

 The effect of firing on all these conditions consists essentially in 

 the conversion of a chronic inflammation into a more rapidly pro- 

 gressing acute process. The reactive inflammation set up in the 

 affected bone, tendon or articulation brings about a more rapid 

 resorption of the inflammatory products, promotes the inflam- 

 matory reproductive processes, and in joints hastens ankylosis, 

 in consequence of which the pain and lameness are removed 

 (spavin, ring bone). 



2. The firing iron is used for operative purposes on fistulas, neo- 

 plasms and ulcers; as a haemostatic, particularly in amputation of 

 the tail, and for the disinfection of infected wounds (rabies, an- 

 thrax, glanders, snake bites). 



3. It is also employed as an excitant, although more rarely, in 

 the treatment of paralytic conditions of the spinal cord and periph- 

 eral nerve branches (parturient apoplexy, spinal and peripheral 

 paralyses). 



5. ASTRINGENTS 



Synonyms: Exsiccants, coagulants, tonics; contracting, drying, tanning, 

 albumin-coagulating, condensing, toning remedies. 



Actions and Uses. — ^The term astringents is used to describe 

 drugs which exert a contracting, drying, condensing action upon 

 the skin and mucous membranes. They are most frequently em- 

 ployed in catarrhs of the mucous membranes, with excessive 

 catarrhal secretion or extensive swelling of the mucous membrane, 

 e.g., in catarrhs of the intestinal, buccal, pharyngeal, bronchial, 

 conjunctival, bladder, uterine, vaginal and preputial mucous mem- 

 branes, and in prolapses of the vagina, uterus and rectum. They 

 are also used in inflammatory, eczematous and ulcerous processes 

 of the skin; in otorrhcea; as injections in fistulas and serous sacs; 



