DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 135 



and produce quitter. In some cases of puncture the whole of the sen- 

 sitive and insensitive frogs become detached. Then you must remove 

 the frog, for a new frog has to be produced. The after treatment is 

 to poultice, use mild astringents, etc. Sometimes a fungus growth 

 results, which, in some cases, is very difficult to remove. You may 

 have to use the knife, hot irons or caustics. Suppuration, in some 

 cases, is pretty severe, and in other cases is the better termination. 

 If it is in the region of the navicular burste, and not followed by 

 suppuration, the inflammation may continue and prove more difficult 

 than suppuration, or the sole may be under-run from a puncture, 

 which did not give rise to suppuration. Then use the knife pretty 

 freely, for if you do not, the new sole grows, the old presses upon it 

 and keeps up the irritation. In cutting in a puncture do it carefully, 

 and do not wound the healthy tissues. There may be irritation and 

 not suppuration, and if you cut down carefully the irritation may 

 subside. 



Pricks. — This injury results from shoeing. It may or may not be 

 the result of carelessness. It may result from very thin walls, or 

 from the use of improper nails. The symptoms are about the same 

 as in punctures, but the nail may have been driven into the quick, 

 and then drawn out, and drives again. In such a case, if the animal 

 is kept quiet for a day or two, there will not generally be any bad 

 results ; but if worked, irritation is set up, lameness, etc. ; or, perhaps, 

 a nail is driven very near, but not touching the sensitive parts, the 

 animal may go well for some time, then strike a stone, the concussion 

 irritates, and suppuration results, and causes great lameness. Remove 

 the nail, and if matter is formed, let it out ; after the irritation sub- 

 sides, put on the shoe ; use a little tow and tar, or a leather sole. 



CANKER, SAND-CRACK, ETC. 



Canker. — This is of an inveterate character. It is more common 

 in heavy horses. It is a fungus growth. It may involve part or all of 

 the sole and frog. 



Causes. — Perhaps from sulphuretted hydrogen diathesis, or con- 

 stitutional diathesis. It may be produced by irritation, as puncture, 

 and may supervene a slight attack of grease. An exciting cause is 

 standing in filth, dung, urine, wet farm yards, etc. 



Symptoms. — A fungus growth appears; the horse is lame ; the sole 

 becomes absorbed to a certain extent, and this growth extends and 

 may involve the whole sole and frog. It is very vascular, and bleeds 

 readily. It is difficult to treat, if due to a diseased condition of the 

 parts. 



Treatment. — It is necessary to use the knife freely, and remove 

 all the horn in connection with it, or cut and then use caustics. 

 Nitric acid is as good as any caustic for this. Then apply pressure 

 by means of a piece of brass, iron, wood, etc., extending between 

 the sides of the shoe ; or, if the horse is not extremely lame, a little 

 exercise may give sufficient pressure. Cover the injured parts with 

 tow and tar. Sulphate of copper, chloride of antimony and nitrate 

 of silver are used as caustics. Prof. Dick's remedy was sulphuric 

 acid two drachms, verdigris two drachms, and sufficient amount of 

 tar. Prof. Williams says to remove the whole sole, even in an 

 ordinary case (I would not recommend this unless the greater part of 

 the sole is impaired), and then use chronic acid, covered with tar and 



