CANKER. 181 



The dirty state of many of the stables, and the neglect 

 of the feet generally, are fertile sources of this bad disease. 

 Attention to these points might in many instances prevent 

 the malady, but Avhen once it has been induced, it is 

 extremely difficult to remedy. 



It is peculiarly necessary to give a watchful attention to 

 all species of injuries in these heavy horses, as they are 

 more likely than all others to assume a bad complexion. 

 Their feet being clubbed, and their hoofs in general brittle, 

 they are liable to be punctured while shoeing. Nine-tenths 

 of the complaints of this kind arise from negligence either 

 in the groom or master, and also from the carelessness 

 or stupidity of the shoeing smith. It will only require 

 a little attention to the subject to enable the master to 

 detect where the mischief arises. 



Remedies. — Canker is a complaint which ought only to 

 be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon, being exceedingly 

 difficult and tedious in its progress towards a cure. 



The first thing which is done in this disease is to cut 

 out the fungus growth ; and besides this it often becomes 

 necessary to use both caustic and the cautery ; and all 

 that portion of the horn which has been separated from 

 the fleshy and bony parts must be carefully removed. 

 Should fresh fungus be generated, it must be got rid of, 

 and means adopted to check its growth, and by proper 

 applicants to induce the secretion of healthy horn. Un- 

 skilful veterinarians have been known to inflict severe and 

 unnecessary torture on horses which had canker, by too 

 deeply corroding the parts with caustic, and thus producing 

 a sore. He that is an adept at his profession will know 

 that canker is only a superficial disease, and does not 

 extend to the bony or fleshy parts ; therefore a very slight 

 daily application of chloride of antimony will suffice to 



