2 c8 
E. STURGE. 
and in bone spavin in coarse heavy horses where we have rea¬ 
son to believe the inflammatory process has involved a large 
surface of the articulation. In such cases always make the 
points first. 
Instruments. —The best instrument for this mode of treat¬ 
ment is the thermo-cautery, for with its use the operation can 
be performed more rapidly, and is less painful, and the wounds 
heal more quickly than when iron is the agent used. The radi¬ 
ation of heat is less and there is no scaling of metal, and the 
operation can be performed regardless of forges. I use a Farny 
cautery, which so far as the points are concerned, gives good 
satisfaction. The tubing should be two and one-half feet long, 
so that an assistant can do the pumping as the operator will 
have both hands fully employed. 
A very serviceable instrument is made of Norway iron, con¬ 
sisting of a handle and bulb, with a point protruding. The bulb 
should not be too long, and the point should be three-fourths 
of an inch in length, about the thickness of a quill at its base, 
tapering, and the tip not sharp. As the point burns off, it can 
be lengthened by filing back into the bulb, this is to guard 
against scorching the tissues with the bulb. 
An instrument similar to this can be made by having a hole 
bored through a bulb and a fine rod passed through this, and so 
arranged that, as it burns off, it can be let down. The point 
can be finer than in the former instrument, and this is a useful 
iron to use after the other has penetrated the tissues some way. 
The platinum point set in a cast iron bulb is used by many, 
but it cools quickly and the point is very flexible. Probably 
this might be remedied by having the platinum twice as thick 
at the base of the point as it is now generally manufactured. 
Copper and bronze are also used in making these tools. 
The points are usually placed one-half to one inch apart, 
and they should cover a larger surface than that which the dis¬ 
eased tissue is limited. It is well to arrange them so that you 
can let them well into an exostosis and also to get points above 
and below the articulation we expect to anchylose. Follow no 
