TREATMENT OF CANKER. 457 



disease, as a stimulus to excite its vital powers to resume their 

 normal functions. 



When once we have got quit of the fungus, and have an- 

 nihilated all power to reproduce it, we may bring about the 

 healthy secretion of horn by such escharotic and stimulant 

 dressings as, from trial, appear best suited to the case : always 

 bearing in mind that change of dressing usually turns out bene- 

 ficial practice. Parts will often for a time progress favourably 

 with a dressing under which they will retrograde if the same 

 be persisted in beyond a certain period. There is no better 

 escharotic for general purposes than the sulphate of copper. 

 The acetate of copper, which is likewise an excellent one, is 

 used with most effect in the form of the ointment known by the 

 name of CANKER OINTMENT, a formula for which will be found 

 under the head of Frush*. A capital form of the " blue solu- 

 tion" is the compound solution, containing sulphuric acid, as 

 recommended by Mr. Morton ; which is also particularized under 

 Frush. In fact canker, when once deprived of its fungus- 

 generating property, is reduced to much the same disease as 

 frush is that has underrun the frog and the sole, a state in 

 which it is calling for similar treatment. During this stage, 

 when stimulants are indicated, common tar or the oil of 

 tar or oil of turpentine, may be occasionally used. At any 

 time when fetor requires correcting, the chloride of lime, either 

 in powder or solution, may be introduced. In fine, I might, 

 were I to look down my own list, without adverting to the 

 favourite remedies of others, enumerate dressings almost ad 

 infinitum. Let it suffice to say that, be dressings as numerous 

 as they may, the hand of science must select them as well as 

 direct their use; the objects of treatment in the disease under 

 our consideration being, to destroy anormal productions, correct 

 morbid and faulty secretion, and substitute in its place the 

 formation of normal horn. 



* See p. 440. 



VOL. IV. 3 N 



