284 



CANKER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE EAR. 



This complaint consists of an ill-disposed ulcer, usually situated 

 on the lower edge of the flap or pendulous part of one or both ears, 

 dividing it into a kind of slit, the intolerable itching of which occa- 

 sions it to be kept in a continual state of aggravation by the shak- 

 ing of the dog's head. It is not a little remarkable, that whereas 

 long-haired dogs (as Newfoundlands, setters, and water-spaniels) 

 are more subject to internal canker of the ear, so smooth-coated 

 dogs (as pointers and hounds) are the only ones in general af- 

 fected with this outer canker. Pointers and hounds that have 

 been rounded, by having the flap shortened, are therefore less 

 liable to it than those whose ears remain their natural length. 

 This has led to the practice of rounding the ears after the disease 

 has appeared ; but it frequently fails to cure, unless the part taken 

 off extends considerably beyond the surface of the ulcerated slit. 

 It is common also to burn out the ulcer either with the actual cau- 

 tery, or with some caustic substance ; but this likewise often proves 

 an uncertain remedy. In all flap cankers confine the ears to the 

 head by a cap. 



In full habits, and where over-feeding and confinement may be 

 supposed to have had any share in the production of the disease, 

 the same rules must be attended to, with regard to the constitu- 

 tion generally, as are detailed for the internal canker. But in 

 other cases an external application is usually found sufficient. An 

 unguent, made with equal parts of ointment of nitrated quicksilver 

 and calamine cerate, may be applied once a-day, carefully securing 

 the ear from the injury occasioned by the shaking of the head by 

 a sort of head dress during its use. Or the following may be 

 tried ; — 



Oxymuriate of quicksilver {corrosive sublimate) 



very finely powdered 3 grains 



Cerate of calamine ( Turner's cerate) ....'.... 1 drachm 

 Sublimated sulphur (milk of) 1 scruple. 



