190 DRESSING FOR THRUSH. 



torn w'll then be nis tumbling down through acute pain. The cleft openi^ 

 and an issue of a most offensive kind presents itself. 



Cure. — If not speedily taken in hand, canker will be the consequence of • 

 neglected frush. But, as scarcely one in ten will take the precaution to as- 

 certain, from the state of his pulse, when the horse is likely to acquire this or 

 any other inflammatory disease, it may be deemed impertinent in me to say, 

 tnatthe preventive of frush in its worse state may be found in purging phy- 

 sic and a cooling regimen, as prescribed for general inflammatory and febrile 

 complaints, set down at the commencement of book 2, pages 59,^ 63, &c. ; for 

 this disease frequently depends on some untimely suppressed evacuation, as 

 the urine, stool, or perspiration ; then let these be restored by giving the dia- 

 phoretic powders, purging or urine balls, according to circumstances. A very 

 much hurried pulse would of course point out the necessity of immediate 

 bleeding ; for the animal so suffering in the vital function must necessarily 

 contract disease of some kind or other; and that particular organ or member 

 which may he least able to bear it is sure to feel its effects soonest. This is as 

 likely to happen to a horse with defective frog, as to its size, texture, or shape, 

 as to any other part of him. Then, let the careful owner examine and find 

 out the least perfect part of his horse, let him watch it closely in all its weak- 

 ness, and endeavour to detect the first symptoms of illness, that he may aid 

 nature and restore her functions, before these run riot beyond the help of art. 



When the frog has been pared away, and the filth of the sore removed, 

 wash it with a solution of vitriolated copper, and apply a pledget dipped 

 in tar or turpentine at the opening. If the case be a bad one, the wash may 

 be made stronger by the addition of a few drops of vitriolic acid to the solu- 

 tion ; and the tar may be poured into the opening whilst warm. Place dry 

 tow, and keep it in position by means of splints. Repeat this tar dressing 

 every other day, until the injured parts slough off. Purging physic will tS 

 necessary to complete the cure. 



CANKER. 



Evidently a corruption of the word cancer, as applied to a running sore in 

 human ailments, it is yet well silently to permit the innovation, the better to 

 keep the two practices separate, in small as well as more extended affairs. 



Causes. — Precisely the same as those which produce the frush, only making 

 Hs appearance at various parts of the sole, frog, «fec. Sometimes the canker is 

 but an aggravated frush a very bad or neglected cure becoming in my estima- 

 tion a canker, and next to incurable ; whereas a frush, taken in time, is easily 

 cured. Our French neighbours write of the two under the same head, of can- 

 cer, let them be seated wheresoever they may. 



The symptoms are those of frush, extended also to the bars of the frog, the 

 heel, the sole, &c. ; and so is the 



Cure ; with this addition, that the paring must be carried on to the extremity, 

 baring all the diseased parts, though these extend over the whole bottom of the 

 foot Cut away the proud flesh to the quick, and when it has bled a little^ 

 apply 



The Powder. 



Sulphate of copper, 1 ounce, 

 Corr. sublimate, 4 drachms. 

 Prepared chalk, 1 ounce. 



Mix and sprinkle it over the exposed surface. If the disease makes a hollftW 



