2(>0 ON THOltOUGH-PIN, AVINDGALL, &C. 
puncturing the skin with an iron half a line or a line in diameter, and sharpened at 
the point. Not only the skin, but the subcutaneous cellular tissue should be pene- 
trated to a depth depending on the nature of the case. The cellular tissue and the 
integument will, in consequence of the cauterization, acquire a degree of induration 
that will continue for a long time, and perhaps always, and deprive them of their 
natural extensibility. 
The cautery applied in this manner leaves very little blemish ; and in proportion 
as the punctures are multiplied, and, as it were, crowded together, will be the 
good effect produced : a sort of permanent compress will be formed, which super- 
sedes every other kind of bandage that can be contrived. 
I believe also that the heated iron, applied sufficiently deeply, exerts a decidedly 
beneficial influence on the vital power of the synovial membranes, and every func- 
tion is more naturally and healthily discharged. 
No danger, even with the most irritable horses, attends this application of the 
cautery. On the contrary, it is attended with far less pain and after-inconvenience 
than the ordinary transcurrent cauterization, which is occasionally followed by 
enormous and torturing tumefaction and sloughing. I have seldom occasion to cast 
the horses in order to apply the cautery in the pointed way, and I fear so little any 
subsequent danger from inflammation, that I blister immediately after the firing, 
and repeat the blister four or five times. 
The blemish left by this mode of firing is little indeed, compared with that which 
the ordinary cautery leaves behind ; partly because few of the roots of the hair are 
destroyed, and more so, because so small a portion of the skin is subjected to the 
iron. In the common mode of firing, a portion of skin three or four times as large 
as the actually diseased part is necessarily cauterized : in this deep firing with the 
pointed iron, it will seldom be necessary to go an inch beyond the limits of the 
tumour. 
The principal caution after this mode of firing is, to avoid all violent exertion of 
the limbs, until the cicatrices are well consolidated, and that will be effected in about 
a month. 
I scarcely know the case in which this deep cauterization may not supersede the 
superficial method which is so generally practised. For windgalls and engorgements 
of a similar nature it is far preferable to the old way; and I do not know why it 
should not be so with regard to osseous tumours. I will not, however, enter on 
this branch of our subject until I have put to the test the almost marvellous effect of 
the periosteotomy so strongly recommended by Mr. Sewell, who regards the cautery 
not only as a useless but a barbarous operation, and who told me jokingly, when I 
had the honour of seeing him in London, that a petition ought to be presented to 
Parliament, praying for the utter prohibition of so disgraceful a practice. Without 
at present prejudging the question, as to this new operation, of which I cannot, as 
yet, speak experimentally, 1 will only say, that I think the Professor is a little too 
exclusive. 
A List of Students who have obtained their Diplomas 
at the Royal Veterinary College. 
April 6 , 1837 . 
Mr. John Swan, Stamford, Lincolnshire— Mr. T. F. Plomlcy, Northiam, Sussex — 
Mr. John Buckingham, Walpole, Suffolk — Mr. James Spencer, Wareham, Norfolk. 
April 11 . 
Mr. T. Brough, Langley, Derbyshire — Mr. Thomas Edwards, Osw'cstry, Shrop- 
shire — Mr. Robert Hardy, Grantham, Lincolnshire. 
April 24 . 
Mr. Joseph Carlisle, Wigton, Cumberland — Mr. Jex, Woolwich — Mr. Ed- 
ward Clark, London— Mr. G. Holmes, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. 
