In the Stable, Field, and on the Roctd. Ill 



of the bad hoof under a powerful microscope, and 

 ascertain if my theory as to fungus is correct ; but, let 

 it be fungus or what it may, it cannot stand carbolic 

 acid. My reason for first trying the acid was that it 

 possesses the power to prevent decomposition and de- 

 stroying minute animal and vegetable organism. 

 Perhaps other substances possessing similar properties 

 may be as effective in seedy toe, but the writer, 

 being satisfied that he can cure every case of 

 seedy toe that comes under his care with carbolic acid, 

 is quite content with it without further experiment. 



CANKER, 



Unlike seedy toe, is mostly met with in the low breed 

 of horses, heavy cart and dray horses being most subject 

 to it. By some writers it is considered of an hereditary 

 nature, but I am inclined to look upon it as upon thrush, 

 which is in itself almost always the true cause of canker ; 

 and as thrush is the offspring of neglect of the foot and 

 bad shoeing, so is canker the offspring of a neglected 

 thrush ; or, I may say, thrush is the primary cause, and 

 canker the secondary. Still there are cases where the 

 canker is caused by puncture, bruise, corn, or quittor, 

 yet it is mostly thrush that is its primary cause. Canker 

 consists of a separation of the horny substance from the 

 sensible fleshy and bony portion of the foot, caused by 

 the growth of fungus matter shooting up and occupying 

 parts of, or the entire sole of the foot and frog. The 

 cause of this disease, like many others incidental to the 

 cart horse, is negligence in the master and groom and 

 the shoeing smith combined. The chief cause of canker 



