CANKER. 559 



often committed by dressing cankered feet too often. 

 We would, however, except the first dressing, where it has 

 been severe : here it is usual to let it remain two or three 

 days, until sloughing may be supposed to have commenced 

 and matter to be formed ; but afterwards, no bad case 

 ought to be dressed more frequently than every fourth day. 

 From a feverish impatience, this is often overdone, and a 

 cure that might be quickly performed is needlessly pro- 

 tracted ; also, in the end, proves less complete than it 

 might otherwise have been : for when the dressing is too 

 frequent, every thing done is rendered nearly useless by the 

 diseased action extending itself under other portions of the 

 sole, and the growth of fungus increasing. The destruction 

 of the fungus, when very high and luxuriant, may be 

 effected, as before mentioned, most conveniently by the 

 knife ; but, when not so prominent, it may be done by the 

 application of any of the caustic matter in general use. 

 Muriate of antimony is very commonly applied for this 

 purpose ; as it can be laid on every part by means of a 

 small paint-brush. It has also another advantage, which is, 

 that, by turning the surface immediately white it shows 

 what parts it has been applied to, and what are left undone. 

 The lapis infernalis, or caustic potash, fi'om its quick action, 

 is also a convenient application. We have likewise used a 

 solution of lunar- caustic, but the application of the same 

 in substance is not sufficiently quick to be useful. The 

 caustic dressing, be it what it may, should be continued no 

 longer than there is a diseased surface .remaining ; nor 

 should the escharotic process ever be pushed to the extent 

 of corroding deeply into the substance of the vascular 

 parts. Such conduct betrays the grossest ignorance, and 

 therefore can hardly be expected in the veterinarian ; but it 

 has happened in the practice of smiths and farriers, to the 

 utter destruction of the foot. Yet, on the other hand, until 

 the cankered matter, from being profuse, thin, and clotted 

 with white masses, change to a thicker, less fetid, and more 

 healthy discharge, as well as lessens in quantity, the sore 

 is still a cankered one ; also until the cauliflowered white 

 fungus change to a healthy red granulated appearance, the 

 unhealthy discharge must continue •. and, in all such cases, 

 a due degree of pressure, united with the application of 



