SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
751 
fire well and apply a light blister. In either case, after two 
days shampoo with soap and warm water and grease with lard. 
Point firing is little better than a good blister, aud while it may 
satisfy the scruples of a client, it does not begin to compare with 
a good line firing for effectiveness. The only advantage of firing 
over blisters is that the irritation thus set up is deeper seated, 
longer continued and more severe. 
The technique of applying counter-irritants is briefly : clip 
the hair, because it in part protects the skin from the action of 
the drug. Brush the clipped surface thoroughly to get rid of 
dirt. The brushing also increases the activity of the skin, and 
consequently the rapidity of the absorption of the drug. Apply 
the blister, using only what the skin will absorb readily, and 
rub briskly with the hand for a few minutes. If the exudate is 
likely to run down to parts not treated, smear with vaseline to 
prevent loss of hair, for the exudate is itself an irritant and will 
set up an inflammation. Tie the patient short by backing in a 
stall for about eight hours, by which time the severe pain will 
have passed off. For two days tie the patient so that he cannot 
lie down or in any way spread the blister to other parts. Then 
shampoo thoroughly the parts treated with castile soap and 
warm water for half an hour, dry and smear with lard. Apply 
the lard daily for three days, shampoo again, and continue this 
treatment for ten days, when all the scabs will be removed and 
no more formed. The patient will be ready for work on the 
fourteenth day, or may be turned out to grass in season. If 
it is necessary to get the patient to work as soon as possible, ap¬ 
ply a more severe treatment than would otherwise be necessary, 
and after two days decrease and limit the action of the irritant 
by the continual application of hot stupes. This treatment 
should be begun immediately after the first shampooing. The 
stupes may be wetted with au astringent solution to hasten the 
process. By this treatment the scabs may all be removed and 
the patient ready for work in eight days or ten from the appli¬ 
cation of the blister. It is necessary to exercise care and judg¬ 
ment in the application of counter-irritants to obtain the 
“ golden mean ” of the right amount of inflammation and avoid 
all danger of sloughing. This is obtained by experience and 
quick perception of the peculiarities of the patient. In treating 
lamenesses it is not always desirable to induce the formation of 
a thick scab by the application of a blister. To recapitulate: If 
it is necessary to produce considerable and continued inflamma¬ 
tion, use the actual cautery, and if a lesser amount of irritation 
