— sis- 

 experience, proved to have a much better effect, and in as short a 

 time. Cold, applied, has an effect to brace, strengthen, and give 

 tonicity to relaxed sprains and sores. Warmth has an opposite 

 effect, i. e., to relax and debilitate. In foot diseases, warm water 

 will be preferable for softening the horn. Where warm water is 

 used, the case should be treated afterwards by cold fomentations. 

 A good way to apply cold water is b\' means of wet woollen cloths 

 wrapped loosely around the parts, and wet ever}^ hour or so before 

 the skin becomes warm. At night take all the cloths off: this will 

 prevent scalding, and falling off of the hair. 



Warm water should be applied the same as cold. 



Either cold or warm fomentations should be continued for a time 

 to get their benefits. It will be well to remember, that when the 

 cloths are allowed to become dry, an opposite reaction is immedi- 

 ateh^ set up. Cold is followed by increased warmth in the parts. 

 Warmth is followed by cold. This should be well understood, for 

 in my opinion cold ai)plications, with absolute and entire rest, are 

 the only and best agents for the speedy and sure cure of sprains in 

 whatever part of the legs or body. 



Foot Diseases. — (1.) Canker in the Foot. — Happily, this is 

 a rare affection, because it is not easily managed from the peculiar 

 tendency in the horse's foot to grow and produce proud flesh, which 

 is the essential principle of the affection. Canker in the foot of a 

 horse may be said to be a foot deprived of a part of its sole, in lieu 

 of which a fungus is formed. It is difficult to keep it level with 

 the remaining portion of the sole. Not only so, but we have to 

 change this disposition in the foot to throw out such material, and 

 induce the material to secrete or produce a new sole. Tliis is the 

 difficult}' to be experienced in the treatment of this affection. 

 Nevertheless, cases, and ver}^ hard ones, too, have been cured, but 

 not in a day, nor a week, but months. 



Causes. Injuries to the sensitive sole by nails, bruises, and other 

 accidents, as a piece of the sole being torn off. 



Treatment. Removal of an}' diseased or dead sole, and the proud 

 flesh. For this purpose, the knife will have to be used to remove 

 the dead sole, and, if it be in the hands of an energetic person, the 

 most of the fungus or proud flesh can be takei^ off in the same 

 manner. If not, get caustic potash, and quickly reduce it to a 



