ON FIRING THROUGH THE SKIN. 
505 
should the ordinary means fail, “firing may be had recourse to, 
but not deep fir* 
Art, 3d edition, 
cautious, and lin 
writers on this subject, I observe that the celebrated Osmer 
forbids penetrating the skin. Both the Professors of the Royal 
Veterinary College of London have cut this matter much shorter, 
and nearly extinguished the fire altogether, having repeatedly 
pronounced it a “ useless operation.” 
My desire is to see the “ Phoenix rise from its dying ashes,” 
therefore will attempt at showing the causes which have led to 
the failure and abandonment of the Jiving operation, regarding it 
as one of our chief resources in effecting cures , and therefore in¬ 
dispensable to veterinary surgery. 
1 am well assured the eminent and highly-talented professors of 
our national institution are sincere when they inculcate that other 
remedies are preferable to the firing iron: they are themselves 
deceived. Having taken notice of the College practice of firing 
ever since the year 1810, I am well aware that they have fired 
only superficially , and studiously avoided cutting through the 
common integuments; they have,therefore, experienced a succession 
of disappointments, and consequently have lost faith in the 
operation. This being the impression at the Royal Veterinary 
College itself, it is not to be wondered that a corresponding effect 
should have been produced on the public mind ; and the result is, 
that a very strong prejudice exists at this moment against the 
operation of firing in horses, particularly in the metropolis; but 
it is still upheld in the country as indispensable by post and coach 
masters, and most sporting men who ride the top pace to hounds. 
I am quite certain that the professors have given to the public 
a candid and honest opinion, but experience has shown me, 
in too many instances, that superficial firing (that is, where 
the skin is not completely cut through with the instrument) is 
not one jot more efficacious than a common strong blister. 
Viewing the other method, my practice in firing of horses has 
convinced me, that the success of the operation, if' performed for 
the removal of lameness , where the ordinary means have failed, 
whether situate in a joint or a sinew, depends solely on making 
each separate line or incision, from end to end, completely through 
the skin or common integuments, cutis as well as cuticle, and 
boldly exposing the cellular tissue, forming the immediate covering 
of ligaments, tendons, periosteum, &c.; with all due caution, of 
course, not to pass the instrument so near as to wound or sear 
these important structures. When the part operated on happens to 
be the inside of the hock, a case of spavin, for instance, all the 
vol. in. 3 y 
mg. Also Blaine s Outlines of the Veterinary 
page G72. This intelligent author is particularly 
fits the operation to the cuticle. Amone the old 
