LAMINITIS. 539 
CANKER. 
CaNKER is generally an extension of the third form of thrush, the 
ulceration spreading to the sensible sole, and afterwards to the coffin-bone 
itself. At first the ulcerated surface is concealed by the old horn, but 
gradually this breaks away, and then the extent of the mischief may be 
seen. <A part or the whole of the sole and the frog may be in a state of 
ulceration, generally depending upon the time during which the disease 
has been in existence, and the care which has been taken of it, or the 
reverse. The only treatment to be adopted is the careful removal of every 
loose piece of horn, so as to expose the unsound surface to the action of 
remedies, and at the same time to avoid poisoning it by the decomposing 
horn, which has a most irritating effect. The sulphate of copper, and 
chloride of zinc, are the best applications, and they must be used in full 
strength. These cases, however, require an experienced eye to enable the 
prescriber to judge of the proper amount of caustic required ; and beyond 
suggesting the kind of remedy required, no good can be done by written 
prescriptions. If it is impossible to obtain the advice of a veterinarian, it 
will be better to begin by using a mild caustic, and then increase the 
strength as it is found to be wanted. Pitch ointment forms the best greasy 
application to the adjacent sound surfaces to protect them from the irrita- 
tion of the discharge. 
LAMINITIS. 
(Pounder or Fever of the Leet.) 
THE TERM LAMINITIS Is now familiar with every one at all accustomed 
to horses, though it has not long been introduced into the vocabulary of 
the professional man. The disease, however, has been recognised for 
many years under the terms “founder” and “fever of the feet.” It 
consists in an inflammation (which may be acute or chronic) of the 
parts between the crust or wall and the. pedal bone, including the 
laminz, whence the name by which it is now distinguished. These 
parts are supplied with a profusion of blood-vessels (see page 451), 
and when inflammation is set up in them, the progress which it makes 
is rapid, and the constitutional disturbance is unusually great, owing 
probably to the want of space for the swelling which accompanies all 
inflammations, and especially of vascular substances. The causes are 
either, 1st. Localization of fever, whence the name “fever in the feet.” 
2d. The mechanical irritation of hard roads upon feet not accustomed 
to them; and 3d. Long confinement in a standing position on board 
ship. When it is recollected that in our system of shoeing, the lamin 
are made to support the whole weight of the body in consequence 
of the shoe being in contact with the crust only, it can only occasion 
surprise that this disease is not more frequent. Nature framed the horse’s 
foot so that an elastic pad should interpose between its back parts and 
the ground, intending that the edge of the crust should take its share, 
but not all of the weight. The lamin are therefore called upon to do 
far more than their structure is designed for, and when there is the 
slightest weakness or tendency to inflammation, they are sure to suffer. 
Acute laminitis is not very often met with, because horsemen are aware 
of the risks they run, and take their measures accordingly; but the 
chronic form is common enough, and hundreds of horses are more or less 
