ON FIRING. 565 
the joint, those structures are completely shielded by the adven¬ 
titious substances immediately under the common integuments. 
Lesion the 2d. —A longitudinal incision with the same instru¬ 
ment down the posterior part of the fetlock-joint, in a line with 
the back tendon or flexor, completely through the skin, but with¬ 
out any additional effort to dilate the furrow; the penetration of 
the skin only at this part will instantly expose the cellular mem¬ 
brane, forming the immediate covering to the sheath of the 
tendon. 
Lesion the 3 d. —A corresponding incision down the front of 
the joint, with the same caution, to penetrate the skin only. The 
transverse incisions between the three longitudinal will complete 
the operation; these must be performed with a differently-shaped 
instrument, much smaller, but yet a red-hot iron, which should 
also penetrate the skin, and will require great dexterity on the 
part of the operator, as it is expedient that the lesion of the skin 
should be effected witlxthe least possible dilatation of the line. 
On this part of the undertaking depends the proportion of 
blemish , but when dexterously performed, it contributes much to 
the neatness of the fired leg. 
I have, however, on some occasions, dispensed with this divi¬ 
sion of the operation, and depended solely on the three or four 
longitudinal incisions, carried to the utmost depth that my ex¬ 
perience would sanction, which have proved successful. 
My text reminds me that I have yet to expose the periosteum. 
A bony excrescence in front of the fetlock-joint, rather inclined 
to the inside, though sometimes to the outer, is another very fre¬ 
quent cause of lameness, and from its inconsiderable size, is 
often an obscure cause of lameness, varying in size and shape 
from a pea to a horse-bean, but frequently of the dimensions of 
a walnut and upwards. This exostosis is generally situated near 
the superior and anterior edge of the large pastern bone, where 
it articulates with the large metacarpal bone to form the fetlock- 
joint. In such a case I depend principally on the single longi 
tudinal incision, laying bare the periosteum of part of the large 
pastern bone. 
Of course splints may be effectually treated in like manner. 
With respect to additional cruelty attending this mode of 
firing, I admit that it is a natural inference to draw; but I doubt 
the fact, for this reason,—less tumefaction follows my method 
than attends the other next best plan of firing, which consists in 
passing the instrument all but through the skin at the time of the 
operation, so that the remaining portion ulcerates through in 
the course of the suppurative process, by about the third or 
fourth day. Now r when we reflect, that there is no organ more 
abundantly supplied with nerves than the skin of the horse, it 
VOL. IIJL 4 o 
