CANCER. 177 



not appear to give, those lancinating pains felt by the human 

 victim. Still there are characters in it, which make the term ap- 

 plicable ; and now and then also, more virulent features mark its 

 progress. I have likewise occamonalJy seen the ulcerous affection 

 called canker in the ear, when of long standing, take on the true 

 carcinomatous character, and extend rapidly over the muscles of 

 the face, till, having destroyed one eye, and commenced its attack 

 on the throat and tongue, the animal was destroyed. I have also 

 seen cancer in its most malignant form in cats ; first attacking the 

 mammae or teats, and then spreading over the abdominal muscles 

 and surrounding parts. 



Cancers of the vagina and uterus are by no means uncommon, 

 and are sometimes occasioned by 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 forcibly separating them during copulation. Can- 

 cer sometimes attacks the labiae, at others the inner surface of the 

 vulva, and sometimes extends to the uterus ; but, in either case, 

 it presents a fungous excrescence, of a deep red or of a more livid 

 colour, with ulcerated uneven edges, while 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 certain : gradually, the morbid se- 

 cretion 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 com- 

 posed of one, two, or three grains of extract of hemlock (according 

 to the size and strength of the dog), and ten, fifteen, or twenty 

 grains of burnt sponge in each, repeated once or twice a-day, as 

 the health would bear them. Extirpation is, however, the most 

 eligible remedy, and may be, in most cases, practised with safety 



M 



