322 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
the iron may come into immediate and close contact with 
the part, as also to prevent the smoke arising from singeing 
the hair, obscuring from sight the part requiring to be ope¬ 
rated upon. It is absolutely necessary to throw the horse in 
operations of this kind, not only for his own safety, but also 
for that of the operator. And to prevent the animal from 
using violent exertions, the hobbles, mentioned at page 312, 
must be used ; otherwise there is danger of penetrating the 
skin, which ought never to be done in firing, otherwise 
inflammation and ulceration will ensue. 
As this is an operation which ought never to be attempted 
but by a veterinary surgeon, we shall not descend to the 
details of how it is performed. The operation of firing 
requires both tact and skill; and even with the best opera¬ 
tors, accidents will occur to the horse, in consequence of his 
violent struggles, which it is impossible in some instances to 
prevent, and the skin will be unavoidably cut through with 
the iron; but the accident cannot be fairly attributed to 
the surgeon. The skin thus partially divided is sure to 
separate in two or three days after the operation; but the 
ulceration which follows will be slight and easily cured, 
when compared with the skin being actually burnt through 
with the iron, as this is sure to be followed by violent 
inflammation, ulceration, and sloughing, producing effects 
very difficult to cure, besides leaving unsightly blemishes, 
and in some cases rendering the horse useless. 
It is the practice of some veterinary surgeons to blister 
after firing. This is a most unjustifiable procedure, unless 
in cases of large bony tumours, spavin with considerable 
lameness, and ring-bone investing the entire coronet, and in 
old and obstinate affections of the round-bone ; but in less 
serious complaints it is a piece of great cruelty. 
The day after the operation of firing, the part should be 
