142 The Diseases of Animals 
part. It is thought that puncturing sets up a deeper 
inflammation. 
After the horse is confined, the operator makes a 
series of parallel lines or punctures about three-fourths 
of an inch apart over the affected area. In line-firing, 
the lines usually run obliquely on the legs, so that the 
marks will not show as plainly after recovery as they 
would if running vertically or horizontally. At first, 
the operator barely touches the skin with the firing- 
iron, marking out his work; later the lines are burned 
to a good russet brown by drawing the hot firing- 
iron through the former lines. In feather-firing, the 
lines should not cut through the skin. After firing, 
a fly-blister should be rubbed on the fired area, and the 
ease treated as an ordinary case of blistering. After 
firing, the horse should be given plenty of time for rest 
and recovery. “Fire, blister and turn out to grass,” is 
a common expression among horsemen. 
FOMENTATIONS 
Fomentations are applications of hot or cold water 
to a part. The application is usually from twenty 
minutes to half an hour. The water may be applied 
as hot as can be comfortably borne, and the tempera- 
ture can be kept up by adding hot water frequently. 
The water can be applied to the part with sponges, 
cloths, or even with the hands, while, at the same time, 
the part is gently rubbed. Fomentations should be 
applied two or three times daily. They are much used 
to lessen acute inflammation, pain and swelling of 
