INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF ALTH/EA ROSEA. 195 
swelling, besides the support which the thickened integument 
gives to the part for a considerable time. 
In exostosis, either splint, spavin, or other bony tumour in 
the vicinity of joints, firing frequently induces a larger and 
more healthy deposit, thus consolidating an imperfect for¬ 
mation, and occasionally completing an anchylosis, during 
whose partial existence lameness is inevitable from the motion 
between the diseased surfaces. The total arrestation of the 
movement is followed by restoration of soundness when the 
joint affected has only a limited action, such as have the 
joints between the large and small metatarsal and meta¬ 
carpal bones, and the small bones of the hock. 
In cases of recent deposit the active circulation and the 
suppuration succeeding the use of the cautery may cause 
the absorption, or otherwise the removal of the tumour, but 
in no instance would the operation be performed for this pur¬ 
pose only, the end, as we have stated, being more easily 
gained by the aid of some iodine compound. 
Sprain, and its consequences, affecting ligaments or tendons, 
or relaxation of those textures from systemic debility, con¬ 
formation, or other cause, are treated by firing, with most 
satisfactory results, the restoration being generally permanent. 
Thus, animals with severe sprain and thickening of the flexor 
tendons or suspensory ligaments, or with curbs, and others 
that have suffered from relaxed ligaments, of the patella, for 
example, are, after an effectual cauterization, almost on a par, 
save that they are blemished, with healthy subjects. We 
even venture to ask the practical observer whether a horse 
that has been fired for sprained tendons is not more likely to 
suffer from a similar injury in the opposite and healthy limb 
than from a recurrence of the accident in the diseased one ? 
Under such circumstances we feel justified in the assertion, 
that in veterinary practice the firing-iron will never be super¬ 
seded by any milder counter-irritant. 
[To be continued .) 
ON THE SUPPOSED INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF 
ALTHAEA ROSEA . 
By Thomas Strangways, Lecturer on Anatomy and Phy¬ 
siology, Edinburgh Veterinary College. 
In the November number of your Journal for I860, a 
case communicated by Mr. Watson is published, " On the 
