884 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



^-Canlcer may be confined to one foot "WTien resiilting from 

 an injury it is always so ; but when originating from no osten- 

 sible cause, two, three, or even all the feet, may be contem- 

 poraneously or successively affectscL The sound feet of a horse 

 predisposed to canker very often have an abominable emell, aa 

 if the animal sufTered from a sulphvreiied hydrogen diathesis. I 

 have coined this term, not being able to find another to express 

 my meaning. 



Canker is generally confined to heavy cart-horses. Some 

 writers say that neglected thrushes are apt to run on to canker, 

 I am, however, of opinion that such is not the case, unless there 

 be a strong predisposition ; and when this is present, thrush, or 

 even an injury, may excite its development. Canker is a 

 constitutional disease located in the feet, and is due to a 

 cachexia or habit of body, grossness of constitution, as exhibited 

 by thick round legs, large feet, and the lymphatic temperament. 



The treatment of canker is early extirpation, not only of the 

 diseased surface, but of the whole horny solar aspect of tlie foot, 

 and is performed as follows : — With a sharp drawing-knife make 

 a groove at the immediate junction of the sole and wall all round 

 the foot, commencing at the heel, extending round the toe, and 

 to the other heeL Then divide the circle into two halves, by 

 making another groove from the cleft of the frog to the toe of 

 the foot The patient must now be cast and properly secured. 

 Then with a sharp scalpel cut cleanly through the grooves into 

 the sensitive parts, so as to completely sepsirate the sole from 

 the waU, When this is done, strip off one-half of the sole first, 

 and then the other half, removing every trace of the horny 

 covering of both sole and frog. It must be done thoroughly and 

 effectually. Cut away all fungous growths, and dress the whole 

 of the exposed surface with the nitrate of silver. Pack up with 

 dry tow, bandage, and put on a leather boot Apply moderate 

 pressure to the fetlock by a tourniquet, to prevent excessive 

 hfemorrhage. *I find it unnecessary to do this until after the 

 operation is completed, as bleeding does not begin until the 

 animeil is on its feet agrin. Two days after the operation, the 

 dressings are to be tlioroughly soaked in warm water for £in hour, 

 and carefully removed. If removed dry, they are apt to tear 

 away pieces of the textures, to which they are firmly agglutinated 

 by the dried blood. Great care must be exercised in doing this,. 



