384 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



Canker may be confined to one foot. When resulting frorii 

 an injury it is always so ; but when originating from no osten- 

 sible cause, two, three, or even all the feet, may be contem- 

 poraneously or successively affected. The sound feet of a horse 

 predisposed to canker very often have an abominable smell, as 

 if the animal suffered from a sulplmrettecl hydrogen diathesis. I 

 have coined this term, not being able to find another to express 

 my meaning. 



Canker is generally confined to heavy cart-horses. Some 

 writers say that neglected thrushes are apt to run ou to canker, 

 I am, however, of opinion that such is not the case, unless there 

 be a strong predisposition ; and when this is present, thrush, or 

 even an injury, may excite its development. Canker is a 

 constitutional disease located in the feet, and is due to a 

 cachexia or habit of body, grossness of constitution, as exhibited 

 by thick round legs, large feet, and the lymphatic temperament. 



The treatment of canker is early extirpation, not only of the 

 diseased surface, but of the whole horny solar aspect of the foot, 

 and is performed as follows : — With a sharp drawdng-knife make 

 a groove at the immediate junction of the sole and w^all all round 

 the foot, commencing at the heel, extending round the toe, and 

 to the other heel. Then divide the circle into tw^o halves, by 

 making another groove from the cleft of the frog to the toe of 

 the foot. The patient must now be cast and properly secured. 

 Then with a sharp scalpel cut cleanly through the grooves into 

 the sensitive parts, so as to completely separate the sole from 

 the wall. Wlien this is done, strip off one-half of the sole first, 

 and then the other half, removing every trace of the horny 

 covering of both sole and frog. It must be done thoroughly and 

 effectually. Cut away all fungous grow^ths, and dress the whole 

 of the exposed surface with the nitrate of silver. Pack up with 

 dry tow, bandage, and put on a leather boot. Apply moderate 

 pressure to the fetlock " by a tourniquet, to prevent excessive 

 haemorrhage. I find it unnecessary to do this until after the 

 operation is completed, as bleeding does not begin until the 

 animal is on its feet again. Two days after the operation, the 

 dressings are to be thoroughly soaked in warm water for an hour, 

 and carefully removed. If removed dry, they are apt to tear 

 away pieces of the textures, to which they are firmly agglutinated 

 by the dried blood. Great care must be exercised in doing this, 



