FOOT DISEASES. . 07 



for a time to get their benefits. It will be well to remem- 

 ber, that when the cloths are allowed to become dry, an 

 opposite reaction is immediately set up. Cold is follov/ed 

 by increased warmth in the parts. Warmth is followed by 

 cold. This should be w^ell understood, for in my opinion 

 cold applications, 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 Biseases. — (1.) Canker m the Foot. — Hap- 

 pily, 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 diincult 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. This is the difficulty to be experienced in the 

 treatment of this affection. Nevertheless, cases, and very 

 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. Kemoval of any 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 taken off in the same manner. If not, get 

 caustic potash, and quickly reduce it to a coarse powder, as 

 it soon dissolves on exposure to the air. Lay it upon the 

 raw surface. This apply next day, if the first applic&tion 

 has not removed sufficient or all of it. After the proud 



