386 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



must not be forgotten. Purgatives, diuretics, tonics, alteratives, 

 such as arsenic and deobstruents, are to be employed to get it 

 into a good state of health, with regular exercise, good dry food, 

 great cleanliness, and a dry situation. In all cases of canker the 

 dressings should be removed daily ; and when pressure or pro- 

 tection by an artificial sole seems hurtful, the foot should be left 

 uncovered, dressed over with tar, and repeatedly cleansed with 

 cold water every day. If in a fore foot, this is easily done ; but 

 a hind foot requires more trouble and care. When a thin pellicle 

 of horn has formed, gentle pressure, by means of pledgets of tow 

 dipped in tar, will prove useful in all cases. Such pressure may 

 be constant or intermitting, as the discretion of the practitioner 

 may lead him to prescribe. 



