CANCER. 115 



the human victim. Now and then, however, a more viru- 

 lent character marks its prog^ress. 1 have seen the ulcer- 

 ous affection, called canker m the ear, when of long- stand- 

 ing-, take on the true carcinomatous character, and extend 

 rapidly over the muscles of the face, till, having- destroved 

 one eye, and commenced its attack on the throat and tong-ue, 

 the animal was destroyed. I have also seen cancer in its 

 most malig-nant form in cats ; first attacking- the mammae or 

 teats, and then spreading- over the abdominal muscles and 

 surrounding- parts. Any part may become the seat of scir- 

 rhus, and consequently of cancer. Dog-s occasionally have 

 their testicles aifected by scirrhus, rarely by cancer, but it 

 is much more common in the mammae, the uterus, and the 

 vag-inae, of bitches. 



Cancers of the vagina and uterus are by no means un- 

 common, and are sometimes occasioned b}' the foolish practice 

 of exciting- premature oestrum by stimulating- injections, but 

 more frequently by a brutality often exercised towards dogs, 

 of dashing- them with cold water, or of forcibly sepa- 

 rating- them during- copulation. Cancer sometimes attacks 

 the labiae, at others the inner surface of the vulvae, and 

 sometimes extends to the uterus ; but, in either case, it pre- 

 sents a fung-ous excrescence either of a deep red or a more 

 livid colour, with ulcerated uneven edg-es. A bloody ichor 

 constantly distils from the surface. In the very few cases 

 where I have seen animals suffered to live to the extent of 

 the complaint, the fatal termination has been slow but cer- 

 tain : g-radually, the morbid secretion of the part united with 

 the irritation ; but, principally, the former has worn down 

 the animal. 



When cancerous ulcerations have taken place in these or in 

 other parts, I have seldom succeeded in restoring a healthy 

 action, or of promoting- a cure, otherwise than by excision. 

 Now and then, however, I have experienced benefit from 

 the use of the bruised leaves of the hemlock, as a poultice, 

 daily ; with balls composed of one, two, or three grains of 

 extract of hemlock (according to the size and strength of the 



