58 TREATMENT OF DISEASES 



Treatment. — Administered diffusible stimulants, and drenched 

 the patient with two quarts of hot gruel seasoned with stimulating 

 condiments; in the course of two hours after delivery, the mare got 

 np and commenced grazing apparently with good relish; she gradu- 

 ally improved and finally recovered. 



CANKER IN THE FEET OF HORSES. 



Canker is a disease of the tissues of the foot, affecting the sensi- 

 tive parts of the frog and sensitive sole, and consists in a production 

 of a morbid growth known as fungus. 



In former years it was very prevalent in the large livery stables 

 of the city of London; there it was sujjposed to rage as an epizootic 

 affection, and often appeared in a very malignant form. At later 

 periods, in consequence of an improved system of stable manage- 

 ment, and the presence of educated veterinary surgeons, the disease 

 is less prevalent, and is robbed of its greatest terrors. 



It is probable that this disease, like many others, "lurks in breed," 

 for it has been observed that a great proportion of the subjects 

 afflicted with this malady are of coarse breed or organization, 

 having much coarse hair on their limbs, and the same animals have 

 large and flat feet. Canker usually attacks the hind feet; these 

 parts being most remote from the central organs of cii'culation, are 

 very apt to become the seat of this affection whenever circumstances 

 are favorable to its production. The circumstances favorable for the 

 production of canker are predisposition. 



Taking a common sense view of this affection, it appears to resem- 

 ble that very formidable disease known, in human medicine, as cancer , 

 for if allowed to progress, the disease acquires a deep seated origin, 

 and spreads from frog to sole, and around the toe and quarters, and 

 like cancer it often flourishes with a peculiar luxuriance ; yet, after 

 all, common canker, as it occurs in horses, is not identical with hu- 

 man cancer, foi', on microscopical examination we fail to find the 

 true scirrhus, or cancerous change of the morbid tissues. 



The treatment of canker is as follows: Bathe the parts freely with 

 pyroligneous acid, and then cover the cankerous surfaces with pow- 

 dered blood-root. The dressing must be renewed often, and the 

 parts should be completely covered with the blood-root as often as it 

 IS removed by abrasion or otherwise. 



The constitutional treatment is as follows : Give the horse, daily, 

 twenty grains of iodide of potass, and forty grains of powdered 

 blood-root, either in the form of drench, or otherwise. Should the 

 animal not recover under this form of treatment, the case may be 

 considered as incurable. 



UMBILICAL HERNIA. 



Umbilical Hernia, commonly known as rupture, often occurs in 

 colts, and in fact is often congenital — exists at birth. The sac, or 

 pendulous bag, is located in the region known as the " navel," or 



