SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
755 
limbs if one is fired, will some one give a good reason for it? 
Dr. Sloan ; It has been my custom to fire or blister both 
limbs if I fire or blister one, so that the animal may be inclined 
to stand on both alike, as it is well known that laminitis may 
be developed if the weight is borne almost entirely on one 
limb. 
Dr. Bennett: The horse owners of Kentucky have great 
faith in firing and blistering in diseases of the horse’s limbs, and 
are quite heroic in their application, not caring particularly if 
there be some blemishing, so that the animal goes sound. I 
have had most excellent results with cantharides, and I prepare 
my blister by dissolving one dram of cantharides in six drams 
of olive oil, the material being heated over a water bath for 
half an hour, and stirred constantly. The active element may 
deposit a little, but it is readily incorporated again in the oil by 
stirring. I have employed this blister in cases of tumors of the 
withers, which you know terminate in fistulae, and in other 
parts with most excellent results. As a blister to be applied 
over the joints and bony growths, I usually employ a mixture 
of red iodide of mercury and vaseline, one part to six. When I 
have used the firing iron I have also applied the cantharides 
blister to reinforce its action. It is quite important to rub the 
blister in thoroughly in order to secure the best results. The 
Germans are great advocates of firing, and of deep firing. I re¬ 
member to have seen a case come into the hospital very lame 
from strain of the suspensory ligament, and he was fired very 
deep, almost into the ligaments, and a blister applied. In four 
days he was standing on the limb, and on the eighth day went 
out of the hospital sound. 
Dr. Stewart: I wish to inquire if the last speaker would 
have us to understand that the horse simply went out free from 
lameness, or that the wounds from firing had also healed. 
Dr. Bennett: The wound was not entirely healed, but the 
horse went perfectly sound. 
Dr. Stewart: I believe it is important to emphasize the 
relation of the cantharides to the element in which it is pre¬ 
pared as a blister. The cantharadin or active principle is not 
freely soluble in vaseline, but is quite soluble in lard and oils, 
and for cantharides to be most active as a blister the canthar¬ 
adin must be thoroughly dissolved. The parts to which it is 
applied should also be properly prepared, to get the best re¬ 
sults. They should be clean and dry, water interfering with 
the action of the cantharidin. Vaseline is the best medium for 
